Engineers to guide residents on quake-resistant constructions

NEW DELHI: In order to ensure quake-resistant houses and buildings in the national capital, Delhi government will soon register qualified structural engineers who would guide residents about such constructions.

Government has prepared a concrete plan to register private structural engineers so that people could hire them when they build houses and buildings.

This is for the first time when government is going to start registration of structural engineers in the capital.

The government's move comes days after Nepal was ravaged by a massive earthquake in which over 6,000 have been killed. The temblor also shook Delhi, apart from other northern and eastern states, leading to concerns about safety of buildings here.

"At present, most people do not know how to build quake-resistant houses following which they have to suffer later. We have made a plan to register structural engineers so that people could seek their help about construction of quake-resistant structures," said a senior government official.

The official, however, said that it is yet to be decided whether Public Works Department ( PWD) or municipal corporations would register such engineers.

"People can soon hire registered private structural engineers when they construct houses," official said.

Government will also run a campaign to educate the masses to build quake-resistant houses.

Other issues ranging from foolproof scheme for unauthorised colonies and for hospital and school buildings have been mentioned in the plan.

"Government will send this plan to state disaster management authority chaired by Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung for approval," the official said.