New buildings for the centres were constructed in Sylhet, Rangpur and Gazipur three years ago but installation of equipment has become uncertain due to lack of initiative by the authorities, sources said.

The Tk 14 crore project for development of seismological service under the ministry of defence also provides for renovation of the age-old seismic centre in Chittagong, which is now virtually ineffective due to use of outdated and old equipment.

The project was scheduled to be completed within the current financial year. But there is no possibility of implementation of the project on schedule as the tender evaluation process is hanging in the balance for lack of decision by higher authorities, Director of Meteorology Department Akram Hossain told The Daily Star.

Tenders for supply and installation of seismograph were dropped in August last year. Twenty firms participated in the bidding, a Chinese firm becoming the lowest bidder.

Accordingly, things were finalised after evaluation of the bids and it was sent to the Prime Minister's Office for approval months ago. The prime minister is also in charge of the ministry of defence.

It would not be possible to complete formalities for import of machinery and install those by June, the director added. "So we have sought extension by another year".

A Tk 10-crore project was first taken up in 1999-2000 for setting up four seismic observatories in Sylhet, Chittagong, Rangpur and Gazipur, considering the regions to be more vulnerable to earthquake.

Later, a revised project plan (PP) was made raising the cost to Tk 18.17 crore. Under the programme, construction of three new buildings was completed in 2002.

But, due to non-allocation of funds after 2001-2002 financial year, the work remained stalled.

Last year, the project was reviewed and trimmed by dropping the component that provided for installation of equipment for agriculture-related forecast. The revised project involves Tk 14 crore.

Public Works Department (PWD) completed the new buildings at Sylhet, Rangpur and Gazipur. PWD will hand over the new building in Sylhet to the meteorology department within weeks of completion of the boundary wall and electrical work.