July 20, 2013
Draft Master Plan prepared for the city has identified Sukhna Choe, sectors 28, 29, 31, 47, 48, the reserved forest and the rehabilitation colonies at Mauli Jagran and Karsan Colony as areas vulnerable to hazards.
The draft plan further states that the potential impact of disasters is higher as these areas are close to the Industrial Area and the Sewerage Treatment Plant. According to the Master Plan, these areas could bear the brunt of chemical spills, effluent discharge and fires due to their proximity to the industries while those residing near the sewerage treatment plant are vulnerable to sewer leakage, methane gas leakage and drinking water pollution.
The Master Plan has recommended retrofitting and seismic strengthening of existing buildings in phases. It has proposed that all lifeline buildings such as major hospitals, schools with large space for storage, district administration offices and other vital installations should be retrofitted in the first phase while significant buildings should be given priority for seismic strengthening in the second phase. Retrofitting is the process of strengthening older buildings.
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