Need of the Hour-Engineer's Bill
In the wake of Nepal Tragedy
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The year 2013 witnessed some of the worst natural and manmade disasters around the world including the devastating floods and landslides in the state of Uttarakhand, the strongest typhoon that slammed into Philippines, the strongest cyclone that caused substantial damage in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Orissa, Earthquakes that shook the state of Himachal Pradesh, the lightening that struck Bihar killing 27 people within a flash, massive hailstorms hitting Chhatarpur of Madhya Pradesh, India, and in 2015, just recently, one of the most destructive earthquakes that hit Nepal killing more than 15000 people. What do these calamities really mean to us? Are we in a position to learn from our mistakes? I doubt!
The year 2013 witnessed some of the worst natural and manmade disasters around the world including the devastating floods and landslides in the state of Uttarakhand, the strongest typhoon that slammed into Philippines, the strongest cyclone that caused substantial damage in the states of Andhra Pradesh
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| Ajit Sabnis Editor-in-Chief |
and Orissa, Earthquakes that shook the state of Himachal Pradesh, the lightening that struck Bihar killing 27 people within a flash, massive hailstorms hitting Chhatarpur of Madhya Pradesh, India, and in 2015, just recently, one of the most destructive earthquakes that hit Nepal killing more than 15000 people. What do these calamities really mean to us? Are we in a position to learn from our mistakes? I doubt!
Just look at the ravaged ruins of our neighbouring country Nepal. The earthquake with estimated magnitude of 7.9 Mw occurred on 25th April, 2015 with its epicenter 34 kms away from Katmandu lasting approximately for 20 seconds. The Indian Meteorological Department recorded over thirty-five aftershocks of magnitude 4.5 Mw or greater during the day following the initial earthquake, including the one of magnitude 6.6 Mw. It did not stop here. Shock waves travelled to some of the Indian Cities and causing many avalanches in Himalayan region killing many aspiring young mountaineers.
With the above scenario in the backdrop, are our buildings and other important structures quake proof? While finding answer to this riddle, I came across structural engineer Mahesh Tandon's observations expressed openly in TOI, immediately after the incident. He said-"Delhi is located in seismic zone 4, making it highly vulnerable to earthquakes. However, the city is not remotely prepared to deal with them. If a severe earthquake hits the capital, 80% of its buildings won't be able to withstand it". He further adds-"Lifeline buildings like hospitals should be in a position to be occupied right after an earthquake which means no damage to them. The other categories of buildings like offices which may sustain light damage but do not collapse. There are buildings that are neither engineered nor adequately designed for an earthquake. Then there are those which are engineered but not adequately designed for earthquakes. In Delhi, 80% of buildings fall in either of these two categories"
If the above observations from a reputed structural engineer are considered to be true, it then surely calls for a stringent regulatory law to design and execute buildings and other structures of national importance by qualified engineers who are well versed with all the codal provisions related to construction. Any dilution here amounts to involvement of a professional who is not academically qualified to carry through these responsibilities. The long pending Engineer's Bill should be passed by the Government with immediate effect giving enough leverage to safe guard the lives of innocent.
It is observed in the recent past that some of the councils connected with the construction industry are involved in the undemocratic propaganda and twisted interpretation of the regulatory act available to protect their profession inflicting tremendous unrest in the minds of the engineering fraternity and public all over India causing immense disservice to a profession which is critical for the safety of our buildings and structures, the development of the nation and its growth. This calls for an undivided attention of all engineers and unification on a common platform to claim engineer's rights.
This edition of Built Constructions is dedicated to the Nepal Tragedy that erased innumerable innocent lives, some due to nature's fury and some due to sheer negligence. Built Constructions at this juncture salutes the Indian Defense wing once again for its timely selfless services.