Bihar draws 15-year disaster risk reduction roadmap: Nitish

PATNA: Bihar is the first state to draw a disaster risk reduction and management roadmap for 15 years to meet the challenges of natural calamities, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said today.

The roadmap for 2015-2030 would ensure that new construction of homes should be earthquake-resistant, Kumar said while addressing a workshop organised by state Disaster Management department here.

Besides, the old structures of schools, colleges, hospitals and offices should be retrofitted, he said.

The chief minister said the work on preparation of a roadmap started after devastating quake in Bihar in April last year which had killed around 58 people in the state.

Kumar highlighted importance of formulating a roadmap for Bihar majority of its areas fall in seismic zone 4.

The seminar was attended by Disaster Management Minister Chandrasekhar and Principal Secretary Vyas Jee.

He said though disaster could not be prevented, efforts were being made to minimise its impact.

Kumar said construction of toilet formed part of his "7 resolves" which had been adopted by the secular alliance government.

"Toilets would be constructed in a way that they do not get demolished in earthquake," he said.