IIT Rourkee team to examine damaged Ima Keithels
NBCC should be held accountable : Chief Secy
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 05 2016: An expert team of IIT Rourkee would examine the Ima Keithels of Khwairamband Bazar which were damaged by a devastating earthquake yesterday.

Speaking to media persons at his Old Secretariat office this afternoon, Works Minister Dr Kh Ratankumar stated that repairing or re-construction of Lakshmi Market and New Market would be done based on the report of the expert team.

A team comprising of Dr Y Jogendra, Dr Manish Srikande and Dr BK Mahe-shwari would arrive here on January 7 and they would stay here till January 11.All the team members are said to be experts in the field of earthquake engineering.

Kabui Khullen

Both Lakshmi Market and New Market were constructed by the National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC) under the Urban Development Ministry and they have nothing to do with the State PWD, Dr Ratankumar said.

The third Ima Keithel was constructed by PWD after they conveyed their inability to construct all the three market complexes and the third market complex was not affected by the earthquake.

During a video conference with Union Cabinet Secretary PK Singh and the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) today, Chief Secretary O Nabakishore categorically stated that NBCC compromised work quality when they constructed the two Ima Keithels and they should be held accountable, Ratankumar conveyed.

The Union Cabinet Secretary informed that a central team would visit the State to assess the losses caused by the earthquake.

At the same time, PWD is already assessing the losses and destruction.

As it is risky, the Ministers' block of Civil Secretariat has been closed to visitors, Ratankumar said.

Chief Secretary O Naba-kishore who was also present at the press meet said that most buildings were constructed by violating building by-laws.

Reports have been pouring in about leaning buildings and the Government is considering about to repair all buildings which are deemed to be risky.

The Government is also considering to re-examine private buildings, hospitals and schools.

Apart from closing Civil Secretariat, Minister's Block to visitors, all the articles of and equipment of NIC kept there have been shifted to safer places.

Meanwhile, a medical team sent by the Government of India arrived here today and they visited injured victims at RIMS.

They would go back tomorrow.