Only 3,252 out of 21 lakh buildings in Dhaka, Gazipur assessed for earthquake safety: RAJUK

Rajdhani Unnayn Kartipakkha (RAJUK) has assessed the earthquake resilience and risk of only 3,252 structures among 21 lakh buildings in Dhaka and Gazipur so far.

RAJUK Executive Engineer Khandaker Md Wahid Sadiq shared the information on Monday (November 24) at a views-exchange meeting titled "Preparedness and Actions to Reduce Earthquake Risk” held at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) in the capital.

He said RAJUK has conducted earthquake resilience and risk assessments of 3,252 buildings in Dhaka and Gazipur using the FEMA-310 guideline for seismic evaluation.

Among these, 2,705 educational institutions, 207 hospitals, 36 police stations, and 307 other buildings have undergone the Rapid Visual Assessment (RVA), he said.

Of them, 579 buildings including 568 educational institutions, 5 hospitals, 3 fire stations, and 3 other buildings have completed the Preliminary Engineering Assessment (PEA).

A total of 187 buildings including 94 schools, 78 colleges,11 universities and 4 hospitals, have undergone the Detailed Engineering Assessment (DEA) for which RAJUK has recommended retrofitting.

RAJUK has also recommended the demolition of 42 buildings in Dhaka and Gazipur due to high seismic risk, said the RAJUK official.

Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Housing and Public Works Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan attended the event presided over by RAJUK Chairman Md Riazul Islam. Noted UNB.