Many school buildings likely to be sealed for violating safety norms

GUWAHATI, Feb 9: Considering the fact that the capital city falls in the highest seismic risk zone (Zone V) in India, the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) had conducted a survey in many school buildings across the city.

After the first survey, a notice was sent to 17 schools in November last year, asking the school authorities to comply with the safety norms as per the provisions of the National Building Code of India. Out of these 17 schools, a few schools have complied with the safety norms while 12 schools have not. The GMC has now written a letter (dated 30.1.2012) to the Commissioner and Secretary of the State Education Department to seal the 12 schools.

It may be mentioned here that the National Building Code of India deals with provisions to ensure fire and life-safety in buildings.

These 12 schools which have not compiled with the safety norms are - Srimanta Sankardev Academy at Panbazar, Pandav Nagar English Academy at Boripara, Sun Flower English School at Santipur, Blue Bird Public School at the AK Deb Road, Gurdian Public School at Lokhra, Little Star English School and Music School at Lokhra, Pragjyotish English School at Panbazar, Shridhi Sai Vidya Mandir at the KK Bhatta Road, Icon Academy at Rajgarh, Modern High School at the RG Baruah Road, SR Academy at the Mother Teresa, Sreeram Academy at Kahilipara.

Icon Academy proprietor Radha Bora, while talking to The Sentinel, said: "Exams are going on in our school. We will take a decision on this issue after the exams."

Srimanta Sankardev Academy chairman Brajen Talukdar said, "The government will decide what is to be done. Of course, while doing so the future of the students of these schools has to be considered. I will take up the issue with the managing committee soon." Some schools authorities have threatened to move the court if their buildings are sealed.

Meanwhile, talking to mediapersons in Guwahati today, State Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that he had given the go-ahead signal to the GMC to carry out the sealing of the buildings.

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Courtesy by: the Sentinel