Dikshit flays MCD for failing to retrofit weak buildings

New Delhi, Sept 19 (PTI) As a strong quake in
northeastern region brought to fore Delhi's preparedness to
cope with such disaster, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on
Monday targetted the BJP-ruled MCD, saying the civic body had
failed to retrofit weak buildings despite repeated directions
in this regard.
"It is the job of MCD to do it. We have been asking them
but they are not doing their job," Dikshit said when asked
what will happen to residents of weak buildings in Delhi if
such a powerful tremor hits the city.
The government had earlier announced plans to retrofit
weak buildings in the city to make them earthquake resistant.
The city government had also decided to retrofit some of the
government buildings but the project has not taken off so far.
Delhi is among 30 important cities in the country that
fall into high-risk seismic zone.
Asked about Delhi's preparedness to meet any natural
disaster, Revenue Minister A K Walia said he has called a
meeting of Delhi Disaster Management Authority on Wednesday
to discuss the issue.
Officials said although there was a plan to make all the
buildings of government-run schools quake resistant, only one
school in North Delhi has been made quake resistant so far.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) had in
April asked the Delhi government to adopt a slew of measures,
including assessment of seismic strength of important national
buildings, to cope with disasters, especially earthquake.
At least 66 people, including 39 in Sikkim, have been
killed in Sunday's powerful earthquake that also rocked
Bihar, West Bengal and some other states in the eastern part
of the country. Delhi also felt the tremor.