10-10-2012, 05:20 PM
Managing with Vulnerable Built-infrastructures in India
Abstract
Natural events like earthquake, cyclone, flood etc. of moderate intensity/magnitude turn to
disasters when they affect inappropriate, unplanned and fragile built-infrastructures. The
repeatability of earthquakes and mass scale destruction in the Bhuj area in the yrs 1819, 1956
and 2001 reminds us that we have not carried forward the lessons from past events. During
Bhuj (2001) earthquake about 20000 cattle were lost, nearly 80% of the salt mining facilities
were damaged, 19000 handicraft artisan lost their working tools and over 213000 agricultural
structures or assets were destroyed or damaged. Such events clearly demonstrate the high risk
from intensive damage and highlight the need for a comprehensive disaster risk mitigation
programme. The scale of damage is often insurmountable destroying human lives, property and
social fabrics of the country. Growing population, ill-planned habitat and non-engineered
building practices have compounded the risk of many urban and rural conglomerations. Thus,
assessing the multi-hazards and risks of built infrastructures, taking appropriate structural and
nonstructural mitigation measures and managing the post-disaster events efficiently are some of
the challenging tasks of disaster management.
Country has developed National Building Code (2005) and hazard specific codes of
practices and guidelines for about last five decades. In spite of availability of such documents,
enforcement mechanism, applicability and implementation is found most deficient. Existing
Town and Country Planning Acts, Master Plans, Area Development Rules and Building Byelaws
and Regulations do not address safety requirements of build environment.
Though after Yokohama (1994) conference there is subtle shift in Government policy
from response, relief and rehabilitation to mitigation, prevention and preparedness, the emphasis
is on Capacity Building and spreading general awareness among all stakeholders. To carry the
natural disaster risk mitigation programme forward, there is a need for trained manpower.
This paper attempts:
1. To address issues related to proper performance of the existing buildings and housing
stock to withstand the forces of natural hazards in future,
2. To create mechanism for carrying out safety audit and facilitate adequate financial
support for retrofitting and strengthening wherever necessary.
To ensure empowerment and accountability of the various actors involved in building
construction, namely, the owner, the builder/developer/promoter, the architect, the structural
engineer, supervisors, the local body personnel involved in approval of plans, inspection of
constructions and issuing of building use permits.