Indo-US team reviews earthquake safety initiatives in Delhi

Seismic experts and engineers from the country and the United States have reviewed progress of the Indian Earthquake Safety Initiative, a model programme for seismic evaluation and retrofitting critical lifeline buildings in the capital.

• Quake hits North India

This initiative, launched in April 2005 by Delhi Chief Mininster Sheila Dikshit, was supported by the US Agency for International Development in collaboration with the Union home ministry.

The project, which was also being assisted by US-based non governmental organisation GeoHazards International, had already accomplished much towards strengthening the existing buildings in the city and enhancing the skills of Indian engineers.

Five buildings in the capital were under review -- these were Delhi Secretariat and Delhi Police Headquarters in Central Delhi, Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital in East Delhi, and Ludlow Castle School and the Divisional Commissioner's Office in North Delhi.