‘Earthquake-proof’ bamboo house unveiled in Dzongu

KAYEM, Upper Dzongu, 13 Oct: A bamboo house developed by AB Composite Pvt Ltd of Kolkata was unveiled here today and presented as an earthquake-proof structure. This house, made completely from bamboo and with a plinth area measuring 20x30 feet, was handed over to Lochal Tshering Lepcha of Kayem village in Upper Dzongu today. Mr. Lepcha’s original home here had collapsed to the 18 September Earthquake. The model house has been constructed under the Reconstruction Project for Earthquake Disaster Relief, National Mission on Bamboo Application, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. 
The Passingdang BDO, Jigmee Bhutia, informs that 25 more bamboo houses will come up at Dzongu.
Handing over the house at a special function here today, the area MLA, Power Minister Sonam Gyatso Lepcha, pointing out that Dzongu has been severely affected by the earthquake, highlighted that the focus of all agencies and all people should now be on the rebuilding process and reclaiming normalcy.
He assured that essential supplies will continue to be airlifted to the still cut-off villages in Dzongu and that temporary water supply provisions with adequate measures to make them safe for drinking will be arranged until permanent supply can be resumed.
He reiterated that the State Government will extend all assistance to the affected people to recover from the destruction and reminded the audience of the Chief Minister’s appeal for a collaborative effort to overcome the earthquake setback.
He further informed that the relief funds have been disbursed in time in North Sikkim, especially in Dzongu, and expressed gratitude towards the Chief Minister for expediting relief and rehabilitation measures here.
The Minister further directed the concerned officials and panchayats to maintain proper and authentic records of the disbursement process and ensure that no affected person was left out.
Also on the day, the Minister handed over relief funds to cover house damages in Kayem and Lingdem wards.
The Deputy Director, HRDD [North], Sonam Lepcha, who has been deputed as Relief Coordinator for Dzongu, in turn, urged that the rebuilding process be undertaken responsibly and quality maintained.