As many as 72,000 buildings countrywide including Dhaka Medical College Hospital and one building of Bangladesh Secretariat have been classified as earthquake-prone structures, the food and disaster management minister told the House yesterday.
While replying to lawmakers' queries, the minister Dr Abdur Razzak gave the information referring to a study jointly conducted by the housing and public works ministry and Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology.
"The government has moved to renovate the Dhaka Medical College Hospital and one building of Bangladesh Secretariat. The finance ministry was asked to allocate fund for the task," the minister said.
Razzak said greater Sylhet and Chittagong areas are most vulnerable to earthquake. Greater Rangpur and Dinajpur areas along with some other areas are also vulnerable, he said.
He said the government has planned to hold various workshops and rehearsals for formulation of a contingency plan. The project will be implemented from 2010 to 2014, minister Razzak said.
"Moreover, all fire service and civil defence offices countrywide will be strengthened providing necessary equipment for recovery works. Through this process, community volunteer team will be formed at every ward of the union," he said.
The food minister also spoke about the government's plans to ensure food security for all.