GIS@development September 2000; Earthquakes, Fires, Floods: Is Delhi Prepared?

A two-day conference was organised by the Centre for Spatial Database Management and Solutions (CSDMS) in collaboration with Construction Journal of India, Delhi Action Group and Joint Assistance Centre on September 14-15 this year, at the India International Centre, New Delhi. The topic for discussion was ‘ Earthquakes, Fires and Floods. Is Delhi prepared?’. More than hundred experts from government organisations, institutions, companies and voluntary agencies from India participated in the conference.

The inaugural session was chaired by Dr. M. P. Narayanan, President, CSDMS. The keynote address was delivered by Mr. R. K. Bhandari, Head, National Science and Technology, Directorate of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). In his welcome address, Mr. N. K. Jain, Director, Joint Assistance Centre (JAC), narrated the main objective of the conference, which was to discuss the status of preparedness of Delhi for disaster mitigation. While delivering the keynote address, Dr. M. P. Narayanan, discussed the urgent need to focus the attention of the people towards the issue of preparedness. He emphasised that the government has a major role in aspects like rescue and rehabilitation after disaster hits. Further he acknowledged the importance of public in managing disaster situations.

The sessions of the conference on both the days covered various topics like importance of networking of knowledge-based institutions and need for innovations and ideas to mitigate natural disasters, HUDCO interventions in disaster management, disaster management preparedness in Delhi, evaluation of earthquake damage in Delhi for disaster management and the lessons from the previous incidences.

A base paper, prepared by Taranjot K. Ghadok, Senior Fellow of Human Settlement Management Institute of HUDCO and Col. B. L. Verma was given to each participant for gaining clarity on the disaster situation in Delhi. The highlights of the conference were the presentation of various case studies on disaster issues of Delhi. Anil Sinha, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, shared the work of the high-powered committee. Addressing the conference, S. K. Dheri highlighted the lack of clear-cut policy reliable data. Other limitations are confusion amongst agencies, multiplicity of authority, lack of legislative support, inadequate resources, lack of trained manpower, lack of equipment and lack of community preparedness. The workshop benefited from the active participation and quality inputs from the audience in general and Prof. M. R. Agnihotri, Dr. S. M. Kulshreshta, Dr. B. L. Wadhera, Ms Amrita Rangasamy and Lipee Mukhopadhyaya in particular.

Recommendations:

Knowledge-based networking among technical institutions and research agencies and people’s organisations should be given high priority in any Disaster Management Plan.
Cooperation with the High Power Committee, appointed with the approval of the Prime Minister and creation of public opinion are required so that the report finally might reflect the expectations and political might be exercised.
A move from Relief to Compensation and standards of service in disasters need to be re-assessed and brought into focus on more prominently in future.
A separate Ministry for Disaster Management is urgently needed at state and national levels. A full-fledged “Cell on Disaster Preparedness” should be created under the Chief Minister’s direct control.
For greater involvement of the people, the proceedings, recommendations, scope and terms of reference for disaster mitigation should be made available through the Internet.
There is a greater need for extending such work wider, so that formal education curriculum becomes unnecessary.
There is also urgent need for sustained awareness programmes at the citizens’ level; in the spirit of ‘Bhagidari’ scheme .The organisers should take a lead in the matter.
Creating community volunteer teams is vital for speedy and efficient response in emergencies.
A system of certification of volunteers, supervisors and management needs to be evolved. This should set standards that will be universally respected.
Important role of media was acknowledged. A cadre of ‘Disaster Reporters’ somewhat on the lines of ‘War Reporters” should be created. A tripartite initiative among government, media and NGOs is an urgent need. Organisers were requested to take the first step on a priority basis.
Urgent need for replacement of existing executive orders (on disaster management) by legislative authority was stressed. In the context of floods, the land use Microzonation
The draft bill, for states to adopt, circulated more than two decades back was also mentioned.
Inadequacy of Fire Services in Delhi, especially in the National Capital Region was noted with concern. Non-adherence to even the existing modest norms and delays of sorts hamper effective fire control and rescue services.
Inadequacies of Building Codes and by laws as articulated on August 4, 2000 at the seminar of Institution of Town Planners India, Delhi Centre need urgent action, as a preventive step.