Delhi & NCR: 80 year old bungalows are not earth quake resistant
The public works department has urged the government to secure bungalows in stately Lutyens Delhi, including the one housing the prime minister. The department’s report mentioned that they may not be able to withstand an earthquake. And since very important people reside in the bungalows, the government needs to take immediate actions.
Most of the bungalows in this central Delhi address which are home to senior ministers, parliamentarians and bureaucrats are made of mud and mortar that are over 80 years old. Each year, the government spends over Rs 50 crore in maintaining them. Instead of doing that, they can completely be demolished and rebuilt using brick and mortar.
Delhi lies in seismic zone IV, which is considered a high-risk area in the seismic zoning map of India. These areas are more prone to earth quakes than the other regions of the country. A senior official of the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) stated that they have been writing letters to the urban development ministry. They are hoping that the Cabinet will take a decision soon.
These structures were built in the 1930s, and do not conform to the BIS code for earthquake resistant structures. In one such “cautionary” letter to the urban development ministry, the CPWD has said that none of these structures are safe from earthquake. Although these bungalows are habitable, they are at risk in case of a strong earthquake.
Source- The Economic Times
Central Public Works Department, CPWD, Delhi NCR, Public works department, Urban development ministry
