Seismic network set to become operational soon

Patna: The Bihar Seismic Telemetry Network (BSTN) station at Patna Science College, inaugurated by former CM Nitish Kumar over four years ago, is likely to become operational soon.The decision to expedite the project was taken at a meeting between Patna University (PU) authorities and Bihar State Disaster Management Authority (BSDMA) officials chaired by vice-chancellor Ajay Kumar Singh on Tuesday.Officials decided to form a managing committee comprising representatives from IIT Patna, NIT Patna, Geological Survey of India, BSDMA and PU to oversee the network’s functioning.PU geology department head Ram Bali Singh said Bihar falls under seismic zones IV and V, making the state highly vulnerable to earthquakes.“The data generated by BSTN will help frame guidelines for earthquake-resistant construction and create awareness about earthquake safety,” Ram Bali said.The project was conceived after the devastating Nepal earthquake of 2015. Under the plan, telemetry stations equipped with sensitive seismometers will be set up in several districts and linked to the central station at Patna Science College for real-time earthquake monitoring.