Building quake-resilient infrastructures mandatory obligation: PM Prachanda

Kathmandu / Jan 16: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has emphasized carrying out activities and learning from tragic earthquakes that occurred in the past so as not to suffer from the disaster again in the future.

At a programme organised at Chandragiri on Tuesday on the occasion of the 26th Earthquake Safety Day, Prime Minister Prachanda mentioned that building quake-resilient structures is the responsibility, not the desire.

“We are organising such type of awareness and resolution programme every year on the occasion of Earthquake Safety Day since 2055 BS recalling the devastating earthquake that occurred in 1990 BS. Today is also the day to make the national resolution to act so that we do not have to suffer such distress and devastation again”, he stated.

The Prime Minister called on one and all to work together to ensure that no one dies, no one gets injured, and no family suffers any type of physical loss from the earthquake in the coming days.

“Come, let’s us all make a resolution for the same and internalize the reality that building quake-resilient physical infrastructure is the obligation, not desire,” he shared, pointing out the need for the arrangement of insurance of physical infrastructures for the construction of earthquake-resilient infrastructures and systematic structures.

Stressing on the need to make provisions for the insurance of physical infrastructures, PM Prachanda shared that the cabinet has already decided to study about this.

He clarified that activities related to risk assessment, reduction, preparedness and early warning systems should be further intensified and the capacity of local levels should be developed to deal with devastating disasters considering the recent Jajarkot and Bajhang earthquakes as early signs of risk.

Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha, and Minister for Urban Development, Sita Gurung, among others, were present on the occasion. RSS