KATHMANDU: Kathmandu Metropolitan City Deputy Mayor Sunita Dangol has emphasized the importance of integrating traditional construction techniques with modern engineering to enhance earthquake resilience.

Speaking at a program marking National Earthquake Day on Friday, Dangol highlighted that strict adherence to building codes is essential for protecting lives and infrastructure from natural disasters.

She underlined that implementing building codes is not solely the responsibility of the government, but a duty every citizen must embrace.

“Building codes are our most important tool in disaster prevention,” Dangol said. “Implementing them is not just a government responsibility; citizens must understand it as a personal duty. While modern engineering is crucial, traditional skills and techniques should be continuously practiced and preserved. Structures built using these traditional methods have proven to withstand earthquakes.”

The Deputy Mayor also stressed that awareness must translate into action, calling for annual infrastructure plans that go beyond slogans. “It is not enough to chant slogans; we must demonstrate commitment through concrete projects and annual plans that operationalize our goals,” she said.

Dangol’s remarks highlight the need for a balanced approach that combines modern technology, early warning systems, and indigenous building knowledge to create safer communities in Nepal’s earthquake-prone regions.