Housing Minister replies to RS MP Kartikeya Sharma’s Query over earthquake protection norms

The Member of Rajya Sabha Kartikeya Sharma questioned the Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs on whether earthquake-prone areas in the country have been explored by the government and if earthquake protection norms are being followed in construction of new buildings in metropolitan cities. Here is what the Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, Shri Kaushal Kishore stated in a written reply:

The earthquake prone areas in the country have been identified by Seismic Hazard Zoning Map of India given in the Indian Standards IS 1893 (Part 1): 2016, brought outby the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).Building Materials &Technology Promotion Council (BMTPC), an autonomous body under the aegis of the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA), has also collated the existing hazard scenario for the entire country in the Vulnerability Atlas of India,2019.This Atlas presents digitized district-wise Hazard Maps with respect to earthquakes for identification of vulnerable areas. Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has requested States/UTs, others Ministries and organizations to incorporate provisions of the Vulnerability Atlas of India in the tender documents, quality control and assurance plans, so that disaster mitigation measures are adequately addressed.