Demolish 321 vulnerable buildings within 30 days: Minister

The government has directed Rajuk and two city corporations of Dhaka to demolish within a month the 321 buildings identified as vulnerable, said Disaster Management Minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya today.

The decision was taken at a meeting of National Earthquake Preparedness and Awareness Committee held with Disaster Management and Relief Minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya in the chair.

The minister said the committee asked the authorities concerned of Rajuk and two city corporations to submit a report after demolishing the risky buildings.

It also asked Rajuk to submit a full report on the present situation of those buildings within seven working days.

Maya said his ministry has already requested the Power and Energy Ministry to cut power and gas connections to the identified 321 risky buildings.

The committee was informed that 18 buildings got tilted across the country during the earthquake that jolted the country on April 13.

Maya said the government has purchased tents worth Tk 100 crore in advance for tackling any possible earthquake disasters in the country in addition to procuring equipment worth Tk 69 crore for disaster management.

Besides, the minister said, a national emergency operation centre for disaster management will be set up in the city’s Agargaon area.

Disaster Management Secretary Shah Kamal, representatives from Air Forces Division, Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy, Fire Service, city corporations, Rajuk were present at the meeting.