It is reported that Mumbai and Navi Mumbai lie in seismically prone Zone 3, where earthquakes of magnitude above 6 on the Richter scale is possible. This calls for construction of earthquake - resistant buildings. Union Home ministry recently promulgated an order making it compulsory for all new buildings to be built on earth-quake resistant designs. Even the older buildings need to be assessed for their strength and to be strengthened if necessary. The standards for the design are available with the Bureau of Indian Standards / National Building Codes. Taller and taller buildings, exceeding some even exceeding 40 floors are being built in populated areas of Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. It is also reported that buildings up to the height of 70 meters (about 20 stories) have better chance to survive the possible earthquakes.
Most of the towers in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai are built on reclaimed land, marshy land or on salt – pans with soft underbelly. These days, concerns are mainly commercial. Safety is given backseat. There are chemical, petrochemical and nuclear industries in and around Mumbai built over the years which would not have been followed the norms, which are now applicable. The public concerns are:
How the authorities ensure and make certain that compliance of the earthquake resistant norms? Do the authorities carryout any inspections during the construction stage? What about certification of the old tower buildings, which were not constructed as per the new norms? Who is the authority to be addressed if somebody wants to lodge complaint on any builder not following the norms? Is the authority empowered to take action against non-complying but powerful builders?
There are thousands of human lives at stake.
Will somebody answer these relevant questions?
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