The risk of fire at Bangladesh Secretariat from short circuit is less as all its buildings have circuit-breakers, Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam said today.
“The character of the buildings constructed by the Public Works Department (PWD) is that all of them have circuit breakers meaning that electricity will be shut if any short circuit happens,” he said while briefing reporters after the regular cabinet meeting held at the Prime Minister’s Office, reports BSS.
“So the risk of short circuit in the secretariat buildings is less and it can be said almost zero … the buildings were constructed there mechanically in that way,” he added.
The cabinet secretary said they will convene a meeting with all concerned about fire safety and other forms of risk including earthquake in different buildings in the secretariat.
“Though the date of the meeting is yet to be fixed, we will sit with all for this purpose very soon,” he said.
Alam said the PWD is taking steps for fire safety and is working with departments concerned to replace date expired fire extinguishers after checking.
The cabinet secretary said a 20-storey high-rise building with all modern facilities including fire safety will be constructed beside the Secretariat Mosque.
“The building will be constructed beside the mosque removing tin-shed buildings,” he said, adding its plan is at the final stage.
Replying to a question about the shifting of secretariat, Alam said: “It’s difficult to say when it will take place.”
Asked about possible damage of the secretariat buildings in any earthquake, the cabinet secretary said if tectonic plate at Dawki near Sylhet moves, it will come in the capital after two minutes.
“We have a mechanism of an alert and all concerned including officials and employees working at various buildings in the secretariat could be evacuated from their workplaces,” he said.