High-rise buildings: 'Interim stay can be enforced on constructions'

GUWAHATI, February 8: Noted seismologist Arun Bapat has said that though it might not be possible to stop construction of high rise buildings in Guwahati city in view of the threat of a big earthquake striking Assam, an interim stay could be enforced. In an interview with The Assam Tribune, Sir Bapat suggested that during the stay period, the builders must make suitable amendments to the designs so that the structures are able to withstand seismic force. For this purpose, suitable legal measure can be taken by the State Government. The urban authorities, after thoroughly checking the extra measures taken by the builders, may permit construction of high rise buildings, he added. The seismologist further pointed out that guidelines for construction and design of aseismic structures are available with the Bureau of Indian Standards (code number 1893). Bapat said, "In my last visit to Guwahati in October 1997, I saw some tall buildings. As per my knowledge, there are no specific rules and regulations of the State Government and the Guwahati Municipal Corporation to ensure that the buildings should be designed to withstand seismic force. If the construction is not designed to withstand seismic force, then the stability of the structure during seismic shaking cannot be ensured. The tall constructions without seismic designs are more vulnerable to damage during earthquake and the possibility of such structures suffering Ahmedabad-like damage cannot be ruled out. It may be noted that in Ahmedabad, the maximum damage is mostly confined to tall buildings. "The one, two or three-storied structures have either not suffered or the damage is minimum," he also revealed, adding that there are enough provision to strengthen the existing buildings to withstand seismic forces and efforts should be made by all concerned to utilise these provisions. It may be mentioned here that the threat of an earthquake in Assam caused apprehensions in the minds of the people in the State and the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) has already identified 51 high-rise buildings, mostly multistoried apartment buildings, as vulnerable to earthquakes. The Kamrup district administration has also convened a meeting of the heads of departments, experts in the field, engineers, architects and others on February 10 to have detailed discussion on the disaster management plan already formulated by the administration in view of the possibility of a giant quake hitting the State. When asked about the possibility of a giant quake hitting Assam, Bapat said that the latent seismic threat to Assam is real and should not be underestimated. However, at this moment it is difficult to say anything on the likely time of occurrence of the quake. "But we can say that the magnitude of the quake would be sufficiently high," he added. Bapat said, "The devastating earthquake in Gujarat has raised a volley of questions in the minds of the Assamese people and all the residents of the NE India. I have been connected with the seismic scenario of the country for the last three decades and my heart is with the people of Assam. The fear in the minds of the people can be well understood but the fear should not turn into acute anxiety. Otherwise, anxiety turns into fear psychosis and in the stage of fear psychosis, one is totally confused. Earthquakes have been occurring since thousands of years and will continue to occur. Man should try to live in harmony with the nature and earthquake. If people are educated about the earthquake and told what to do and what not to do during pre and post-seismic periods, the earthquake disaster can be easily mitigated." When asked to comment on the steps taken by the Government to mitigate the disaster, the seismologist said that he was not aware of the steps taken by the Assam Government. However, he pointed out that most of the State Governments give more emphasis on post-seismic situation, which involves rescue, evacuation, rehabilitation etc. But the pre-seismic situation is more significant. If proper steps are taken during the pre-seismic period, the losses will be less and much less energy and money will be required during the post-seismic period, he added. The noted seismologist said that he would be happy to offer his suggestions to Assam on earthquakes and to mitigate the disaster. "I am ready to offer my expertise in creation of awareness about earthquake, training of Government staff and others in earthquake disaster mitigation, seismic risk evaluation in Assam and other parts of the NE region after field visit and inspection etc." He revealed that he had conducted workshop on earthquake disaster mitigation for the Tripura Government officials at Agartala and now he was training the Maharashtra Government officials.