HRDD sanctioned Rs.35 crores for reconstruction; to construct 97 girls hostel as well

GANGTOK, 15 Feb: The Human Resource Development Department is now all set to begin its first phase of reconstruction works of the damages to the government school buildings in the state. the earthquake of 18 September, 2011 had affected virtually all the government schools throughout Sikkim. In fact in many places the reconstruction works have already begun with the department using its internal resources for the reconstruction so as to meet the deadline of school reopening. The department has also constructed a number of temporary classrooms, 665 in all, so as to enable the schools to reopen and for the school children to begin their academic session in time. However it has now been provided with the long awaited funds for the reconstruction process. The state cabinet on 9 February sanctioned Rs. 35.1375 crores for the first phase of reconstruction and repair of schools.
The HRDD will not just been engaged in the reconstruction and repair works but will be constructing new structures as well including school auditoriums, buildings and hostels. A total of 97 girls school hostels are to be undertaken for construction  by the HRDD including in Geyzing and Khamdong; these were in fact approved during the Village Tour of the chief minister.

Schools ready for new academic session with temporary classrooms

GANGTOK, 09 Feb: The HRDD has been working overtime to get the damaged school buildings and classrooms in the state ready for the next academic session beginning 14 February. While almost all government school buildings in the state sustained some kind of damage the department has managed to set up 665 temporary classrooms all over the state. In fact these 665 classrooms have been set up in 178 schools across the state to ensure that the schools reopen at the scheduled time.
As a result of the earthquake of 18 September, 2011 A total of 682 school buildings across the state sustained damages; among these 268 sustained minor damages, 334 buildings sustains major damages, including 32 school buildings which collapsed and another 80 school buildings which collapsed totally.
While the department had put up a proposal of Rs.73.74 crores for the reconstruction of the school buildings the present construction of temporary classrooms had been done largely using its internal funds; however the department, it is informed, has received assurance that the government would soon release the full amount shortly.
It has been informed that for the smooth running of the schools these 665 temporary classrooms have been constructed so that the academic session of the students is not hampered. It was further informed that these temporary rooms are good enough to house the classes; in fact it is informed that classes can operated from these temporary structures for a few years. On the other hand the reconstruction of school buildings is also being taken up on priority basis. The HRDD has already requested the concerned area MLAs to take up the school works through the local societies of the area and at many places these works have already begun.

UD&HD proposes monetary assistance for demolition of earthquake affected houses

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, FINANCES AND TIME PRESENT MAJOR HURDLES IN DEMOLITION EXERCISE
GANGTOK, 30 Jan: Owners of earthquake affected buildings who have been issued notices directing the demolition of their buildings have been grappling with the problem of how to go about demolishing these buildings. The recent further collapse of one such building in Singtam has brought this issue to fore since even four months since the devastating earthquake, this substantially affected building was still awaiting proper demolition along with many other such structures. The problem seems to be time and money.
The biggest problem, officials inform, is the significant monetary expense that will be incurred by house owners who have to bring down their structures. As for the department which is to demolish the structures - the UD&HD - the problem seems to be that of time. Demolition is a time consuming process and the department does not seem to be able to go after all such houses issued notices of demolishment.
However, it is informed that the Urban Development & Housing Department has now put up a proposal to the State government suggesting that monetary assistance be provided to the house owners so that they can undertake demolition on their own. The department will be available to provide any technical assistance if necessary.
The department, after overseeing the demolition of some structures in Gangtok, discovered that it would be impossible for it to continue with the demolition of all buildings marked to be taken down throughout the State. The earthquake damaged a large number of buildings and all such cases where the structures had to be brought down were forwarded to the UD&HD.
Considering the immense time consuming process that this would be, the department, officials inform, has now proposed that the house owners be provided with monetary assistance to bring down the houses themselves. The rate of monetary assistance is yet to be ascertained.
It is also to be seen if the proposal is approved and accepted by the state government. Initially the department was pressing its own demolition squads to the task.
In fact the primary responsibility of demolishment of a house is upon the house owner, it is informed.
The owner of the collapsing house at Singtam, like other such buildings owners, had also been issued with a notice for demolition, but, as officials inform, even after 4 months had not been able to undertake it.
In such cases, especially when the structure is endangering other nearby houses and the public at large, the house owner will be held responsible and liable for any damage to life or property, informs DC, East. As regards the Singtam building, the DC, East, informed that he had called the house owner and also had a meeting with the UD&HD engineer following which the house owner has begun demolishing the building which is right in the heart of Singtam bazaar.

More than 500 claims of property damage totaling over Rs. 15 crore being processed

EARTHQUAKE DEVASTATION KEEPS INSURANCE COMPANIES BUSY
GANGTOK, 16 Oct: Over 500 claims totaling to over Rs. 15 crore have landed with the three nationalised insurance companies in the State [which insure buildings] from people from all over Sikkim for damages incurred to dwellings due to the 18 September Earthquake. The number of claims, along with the total claim amount, is rising ever day as claimants make their way to their insurance companies with their claims of damages incurred.

Bardewa withdraws court challenge against DC notice to demolish Himalchuli

GANGTOK, 13 Oct: Former vice president of the Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee and owner of Hotel Superview Himalchuli and Waterfall Resorts, Gangtok, has decided not to continue with his challenge to the notice of the East district administration ordering the demolition of hi hotel. The hotel, a multi-storeyed structure by the national highway which towers over the road to Development Area, had been issued a notice for demolition by the DC East following reports that the structure had suffered damages and could collapse following the earthquake of 18 September.

House damage relief disbursement continues in North Sikkim

MANGAN, 12 Oct: Disbursement of relief for houses damaged in the 18 September earthquake is underway in Chungthang Sub-Division and 90% of compensation to affected families in Chungthang and Lachung has been completed while the process continues in Lachen. The disbursement for Chungthang, Pegong and Bop wards was conducted yesterday with the area MLA, TW Lepcha, in attendance along with the North Zilla Adhakshya, Khamsoong Lepcha.

SDM inspects affected houses not covered in earlier inspections

GANGTOK, 30 Sept: In order to address the problems of the affected people of Gangtok overlooked in earlier inspections, the Sub Divisional Magistrate [East], Dr. AB Karki took a tour of 6th Mile, 5th Mile, Tadong, Swastik and Nam Nang, today.
Of the buildings he visited in these areas, two buildings in Swastik and one at Nam Nang had suffered major damages and the report of this will be submitted to the District Collector [East], he informed.

Shipgyer Monastery sustains major damage, villagers begin protective works

MANGAN, 29 SEPT:  The Ship Kunzang Choling Monastery at Shipgyer-Ramom GPU has suffered major damage due to the 18 September earthquake. Readers would recall that a Shipgyer resident who walked to Mangan and reached Gangtok recently, had brought horror stories of the Sunday night destruction at the village, the road to which was cleared for light vehicles [with four-wheel drive power] only today.

10 buildings marked for demolishment in Gangtok and Singtam

GANGTOK, 26 Sept: A total of 10 buildings in Gangtok and Singtam have been identified for demolishing. While a huge percentage of buildings have been substantially damaged by the earthquake of 18 September, there are some which are not habitable, and furthermore, pose a threat to neighbouring buildings. All such buildings had been ordered to be evacuated by the district administration earlier and now, after an inspection the DC [East], D Anandan, has issued notices to the owners of 10 buildings in East District that their structures should be demolished.