Building quake-resilient structures is the responsibility, not desire: PM Dahal

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has laid emphasis on carrying out activities, 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 today on the occasion of the 26th Earthquake Safety Day, Prime Minister Dahal mentioned that building quake-resilient structures is the responsibility, not desire.

“We have been organising such types of awareness and resolution programmes 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 a 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 in order to ensure that no one dies, no one gets injured, no family suffers any type of physical loss from the earthquake in coming days.

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

Stressing on the need of making provision for insurance of physical infrastructures, PM Dahal shared that the cabinet has already decided to study about this.

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

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