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EARTHQUAKE RISK EVALUATION CENTRE TO COME UP SHORTLY
New Delhi ~ July 6, 2001
An earthquake risk evaluation centre is to be set up shortly at the India Meteorological Department in New Delhi. Its principal mandate is to quantify
earthquake risk and prepare site-specific risk maps. This was disclosed by the Minister of State for Science and Technology Shri Bachi Singh Rawat while inaugurating an "International Seminar On Earthquake Strategies" with particular reference to India here today. Shri Rawat also revealed that a national programme on Global Positioning System has been formulated and initiated for monitoring crustal movements. The Department of Science and
Technology is also supporting and encouraging a number of institutions to conduct research on various aspects of earthquakes. The role of planners, surveyors, engineers and scientists is of paramount importance in dealing with natural calamities particularly earthquake hazards Shri Rawat said.
Scientific investigations and analysis have been taken up to find ways and means of minimising earthquake devastations. Earthquake safety measures including strict enforcement of building by-laws have been initiated to contain/lessen the damages in future. The centre
State Governments and their agencies have to ensure that the building by-laws are followed rigidly by all Shri Rawat said. The Surveyor General of India Lt. Gen. A.K. Ahuja told the conference that the need of the hour is to have a national disaster management authority to plan, pre, post-disaster management and rehabilitation. He said that professional institutions in India have decided to form a body to register engineers of all disciplines including surveyors in accordance with Washington international accord and take care of professionals in India and other countries. The professional bodies will form a council to discharge the required functions concerning natural calamities he said.
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