On Monday, March 30, India handed over equipment for detailed post-earthquake building inspection to the Federation of Myanmar Engineering Societies (Fed.MES) at a ceremony held in Yangon, Myanmar.
According to the Indian Embassy in Yangon, the initiative, undertaken with Indian government grant assistance, reflected New Delhi's continued support in enhancing the technical capacity of Myanmar authorities and organizations for post-earthquake reconstruction.
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar outlined the commitment in his virtual address at the inauguration of the Sarsobeikman Literary Centre in Yangon earlier this month.
Indian Ambassador to Myanmar, Abhay Thakur, handed over the technical equipment to Fed.MES President, U Khin Maung Htaey. Several senior officials, including Myanmar Engineering Council President Aung Kyaw Myat, Myanmar Earthquake Committee President U Nyunt Maung San, and Yangon Technological University Rector Hla Myo Tun, as well as representatives of UN-Habitat and other concerned international and civil society organizations, were present at the event.
The ceremony was followed by a presentation of the equipment and its functioning.
"The advanced technical equipment from India includes a range of specialized tools and equipment, including for subsurface investigation, for leveling and digital assessment, and for structural alignment, as well as equipment for rebound, monitoring, assessment, and testing for evaluating concrete strength and quality, identifying reinforcement positioning, and monitoring any structural deformation," the Indian Embassy stated.
"The assistance is aimed at strengthening capacities for structural assessment, as well as for the continued retrofitting and rehabilitation of earthquake-affected buildings," it added.
The Indian Embassy noted that the deployment of the equipment will significantly help in enabling detailed damage mapping, evaluation of building integrity, and informed decision-making for repair and reconstruction, contributing to long-term rehabilitation and resilience-building efforts in Myanmar.
On March 4, the inauguration of the India-assisted project for the construction of the three-storey literary centre, the "Sarsobeikman building," worth approximately $3.77 million, was held in Yangon.
The initiative, aimed at the preservation and development of the literary traditions of the people of Myanmar, underscored India's sustained commitment to supporting the socio-economic development of the Southeast Asian nation.
The inauguration ceremony included a special video address by EAM Jaishankar, while Myanmar's Prime Minister U Nyo Saw attended as the chief guest.
The Indian Embassy stated that the project forms part of India’s broader development partnership framework in Myanmar.