Responding to warning signals from the devastating earthquake in Nepal, the Delhi government has started updating the State disaster management plan and decided to check preparedness of various agencies to deal with natural calamities.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal held a review meeting here on Monday to discuss the Capital’s preparedness in dealing with disasters and laid emphasis on evolving broad guidelines for the disaster management plan.
Home Minister Satyendra Jain later said that existing infrastructure will be strengthened with adoption of global practices, while experts will be consulted to review the disaster management plan. He said mock drills will also be held to check the plan’s effectiveness.
The Delhi Disaster Management Authority will identify disaster management lanes in consultation with Traffic Police and road-owning agencies. Mr. Sharma said visual inspection of flyovers across Delhi was carried out after the earthquake and it was felt that regular routine inspections were required, especially of bearings and expansion joints, as these components have a prescribed life of 10 to 15 years.
