Delhi prone to chemical and industrial fires: Minister
By IANSTuesday, April 20, 2010
NEW DELHI - At a time when Delhi is witnessing several fire incidents, Urban Development Minister A.K. Walia Tuesday admitted that the national capital is prone to chemical and industrial fires and launched a week-long awareness campaign.
Walia also stated that Delhi falls in seismic zone-IV and is highly vulnerable to earthquakes of 5.5 to 6.7 magnitude on the Richter scale.
Walia said the capital also faced “serious challenges in management of emergencies because of its large and densely populous base, large number of unsafe building… unauthorized colonies and industrial clusters. Such areas are highly vulnerable to chemical and industrial fires, floods and even terrorist attacks.”
He inaugurated the disaster management week in east Delhi and flagged off a disaster management awareness van to spread mass awareness about the issue.
During the week-long campaign, street plays, puppet shows, essay writing competitions and quiz competitions will be organised and useful material will be distributed at public places to spread awareness.
He informed that the government has taken steps to include ‘disaster management’ as a topic in school curriculum and that mock drills are also being conducted and people are being trained to meet any unexpected challenges.
A toll-free disaster helpline 1077 is also functional in the city, said an official statement.
