A new policy for making it mandatory to build earthquake resistant buildings is on the anvil. This was revealed by Minister of Earth Sciences Vilasrao Deshmukh at a function in New Delhi.

Mr Deshmukh stressed the need for putting in place stringent laws so that all urban infrastructures incorporate earthquake resistant techniques.

He said that the policy will be on the lines on environmental clearance given to buildings before their construction.

Stating that earthquakes can not be predicted, Mr. Deshmukh said that general public must be made aware about mitigating earthquake risks.