Delhi HC asks AAP govt, civic bodies for action plan to deal with earthquakes

In wake of several mir earthquakes in and around national capital in since April, Delhi High Court asked AAP government and civic authorities on Tuesday as to how well prepared y are if a major tremor hits city. A bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Rajnish Bhatnagar asked Delhi government, three municipal corporations, cantonment board, DDA and New Delhi Municipal Council to file affidavits explaining steps taken or proposed to be taken to ensure safety of people in event of a major earthquake.

bench gave Delhi government and civic authorities one week to file ir affidavits and listed matter for hearing on June 15. court also directed authorities to make public aware about action plan in place, if any, for ir safety in event of a major tremor in Delhi. A detailed order of court is awaited.

order came on a application moved by vocates Arpit Bhargava and D K Sharma claiming that authorities and Delhi government have t done anything despite several directions by court to develop an action plan. In ir application, y have sought directions to Delhi government and civic bodies to put in place an action plan in a time bound manner. application was filed in Bhargava's main petition filed in 2015 claiming that seismic stability of buildings in Delhi was poor and in case of a major earthquake re could be large number of casualties.

petition is still pending before high court which from time to time has directed Delhi government and civic authorities to develop an action plan. In application, Bhargava has contended that around 11 earthquakes have struck Delhi since April 12 and according to experts a big one was imminent which is why he has moved court w for urgent directions.