Yangon, March 30 (IANS). India on Monday handed over equipment for detailed inspection of buildings after the earthquake to the Federation of Myanmar Engineering Societies at a ceremony held in Yangon city of Myanmar.
According to the Indian Embassy in Yangon, this step taken under the grant assistance of the Government of India reflects New Delhi’s continued support in enhancing the technical capacity of relevant authorities and organizations for post-earthquake reconstruction in Myanmar.
This commitment was mentioned by Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar did this in his virtual address during the inauguration of the Sarsobekman Literary Center in Yangon this month.
India’s Ambassador to Myanmar Abhay Thakur handed over the technical equipment to U Khin Maung Htay, President of the Federation of Myanmar Engineering Societies. Several senior officials were present on the occasion, including Myanmar Engineering Council Chairman Aung Kyaw Myat, Myanmar Earthquake Committee Chairman U Nyunt Maung San and Yangon Technological University Rector Hla Myo Tun.
After the ceremony the instruments and their uses were demonstrated.
The Indian Embassy said that the advanced technical equipment provided by India includes various specialized equipment such as underground investigation, leveling and digital assessment, structural alignment and equipment to test the strength and quality of concrete, identify the condition of reinforcement and monitor structural deformation.
The embassy said this assistance is aimed at enhancing the capacity for structural assessment as well as strengthening rehabilitation and repair works of earthquake-affected buildings.
According to the Indian Embassy, the use of these tools will significantly help in detailed mapping of damage, assessment of strength of buildings and making right decisions for repair and reconstruction, thereby promoting long-term rehabilitation and disaster-resilient capacity building in Myanmar.
On March 4, the three-storey literary center ‘Sarsobekman Bhawan’ built with Indian assistance was also inaugurated in Yangon. Its estimated cost is approximately $3.77 million.
The initiative, aimed at preserving and developing the literary traditions of the people of Myanmar, underlines India’s continued commitment to support the socio-economic development of the South-East Asian nation.
–IANS
AY/ABM
