Agartala, Oct 12 The Indian Building Congress (IBC), an apex body of the construction professionals and institutions, has asked the governments in the northeastern region to undertake massive retro-fitting and other measures for old buildings to make them earthquake resistant.

"We have specially asked the state governments of the northeastern region to carry out the retrofitting (modification to make structures earthquake resistant) of the old buildings and constructions on an urgent basis considering that the region is in a high risk seismic zone," said IBC president S. K. Vij.

"Retrofitting is urgently required for old hospital buildings, relief and rescue centres, auditorium, heritage buildings and other buildings of national importance," Vij told reporters.

The Geological Survey of India (GSI) earlier notified that northeast India could experience a devastating earthquake as the region is considered by seismologists to be the sixth worst quake prone belt in the world.

"Lakhs of buildings, constructed many years ago, are not safe to sustain high seismic activity and may collapse during tremors," said Vij, who came here to address a national seminar.

"Many state governments had already started the costly retrofitting works in India after the IBC's recommendations adopted first at a national seminar in New Delhi in 2001," said Vij, an internationally renowned engineer and a former member of railway board. (IANS)