File Photo: Former Nepali PM Prachanda
In the wake of devastating earthquake in Nepal, its former Prime Minister and chairman of UCPN-Maoist party Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' today visited several sites in and around Bhuj town in Kutch district to learn about post-quake rehabilitation.
After meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi on Friday, Mr Dahal arrived in Bhuj yesterday for a two day visit to know more about rehabilitation and reconstruction work undertaken in Bhuj and nearby Anjar tehsil of Kutch, which were devastated in 2001 earthquake.
Kutch Collector Mahendra Patel said Dahal arrived last evening and saw a presentation related to rehabilitation work.
"Main objective of his visit was to learn about how the entire machinery can be mobilised with the help of various other organisations in right direction for rehabilitation, as we have achieved it after the earthquake of 2001," said Mr Patel.
Yesterday, various agencies such as Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority, Bhuj Urban Development Authority and authorities of Bhuj-based GK General Hospital have showed presentations to Dahal about the work carried out by them after the 2001 earthquake.
"Dahal showed keen interest to know what was the role of various government and non-government organisations, how the rehabilitation was managed, which policies as well as relief packages related to rehabilitation were announced by government," Mr Patel added.
Later today, Mr Dahal visited several places which holds significance as far as rehabilitation is concerned. He visited Bhimsar village of nearby Anjar tehsil, GK General hospital in Bhuj, Bhujodi village, RTO Relocation site, Ravalwadi relocation site and Sahyognagar.
"Bhimsar village was rebuilt from scratch, as the entire village was destroyed. Same was the case with nearby village of Bhujodi. With the help of NGOs and other community organisations, we have built more than 1000 new homes in each of these villages and relocation sites," said Mr Patel.
According to him, Mr Dahal took details about G K General hospital, which was also reconstructed after the earthquake.
"GK General hospital was turned into a pile of debris after earthquake. Then government have rebuild it using earthquake resistant technology, developed by experts of New Zealand. This technology can prove helpful for Nepal. Dahal also took some documents related to rehabilitation for study", the Collector added.