India approves Rs 6bn disaster management plan

NEW DELHI: Indian Home Ministry on Monday approved a Rs 6 billion plan to address the critical gaps in the management of earthquake related disasters.

The concept paper prepared by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has been named National Earthquake Risk Mitigation Project (NERMP). A Home Ministry spokesman said the preparatory work for the detailed project spread over for next five years would be initiated after an approval from the Planning Commission.

The plan involves training of engineers, builders, architects and masons etc at the National Institute for Earthquake Management. It is to be set up in the Himalayan city of Dehradun. The plan also involves investment in the research and development of safe construction technology, which is at present lowest in South Asia.

While the USA, West European countries and Australia spend 4 to 6 per cent of total construction investment in the R&D for developing construction techniques, India and other countries in South Asia spend abysmally low amount to the tune of just 0.03 to 0.05 per cent. The proposed project is aimed to achieve following goals: Capacity building of various stakeholders groups like engineers, architects, faculty members of engineering colleges, site supervisors, contractors, lead masons and masons.

Creation of public awareness on earthquake risk and vulnerability, techno-legal regime, building safety. Creating an enabling techno-legal regime and its enforcement and compliance by different ministries of government of India and state governments. Institutional strengthening and R&D. Retro-fitting of lifeline structures starting with district hospitals in 229 high risk districts in seismic zones IV and V for demonstrative effect.