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Quake classes for engineers in H.P.

Staff Correspondent

Centre's plan to train engineers to deal with earthquakes in civil construction field

SHIMLA: The Union Government has decided to train at least 10,000 engineers to deal with earthquakes in civil designs and construction works in the States falling in high seismic zones. This training is being carried out through State Resource Centres and National Resource Centres identified through out the country.

In the hill state of Himachal, NIT Hamirpur has been identified as a State Resource Centre for training of engineers and architects, informed an official spokesman here on Sunday.

Himachal has experienced some major earthquakes including the century old Kangra earthquake in which more than 20,000 people had lost their lives and the small hill town was devastated beyond recognition. The new plan according to the spokesman, envisages conducting training programmes for PWD and Municipal Engineers in private sector in building by-laws and seismic safe constructions over a period of three years.

NIT will assist Municipal bodies in review and amendment of building by-laws and also State Government in creation of a framework for mandatory registration/certification of engineers in private and public sector. Besides this, workshops, seminars and awareness camps for the general public and educational institutions would be organised.

A concept has gradually being emerging to introduce earthquake resistant technology in both private and government buildings.

In addition many other actions to be taken towards the preparedness for such eventuality, the new constructions being taken up by various Departments need to be designed in such a manner that these can withstand earthquake of high intensity, he said.

He further said for immediate training a two-day long training programme for masons will also be held at NIT Hamirpur. In Kangra Division about 45 engineers of PWD, 30 engineers of Municipal Bodies and 100 engineers of Rural Development are required to be imparted training in first phase.

The Council for Science and Technology has also prepared project for training of masons at their Sunder Nagar centre as well as at the block headquarters.

The Office of Deputy Commissioner of Kangra has been entrusted with the job of identifying buildings, safety of which is very important for organising relief and rehabilitation work in case of a major earthquake. Offices and residences of authorities connected with relief and rehabilitation and police authorities, fire brigade and hospitals are some of them which have been selected for this purpose.

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Quake classes for engineers in H.P.

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