Gautam Budh Nagar, Gzb high-rises can withstand quakes up to 8: Experts

Officials of Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) claim that the high-rises in their jurisdiction are quake-proof up to the intensity of eight on the Richter scale. The authorities maintain that there are more than 10 lakh flats in multi-storey buildings that have followed safety norms during construction and these buildings can withstand high-intensity tremors.

Notably, Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad fall under seismic zone-IV. Lakhs of people live in high-rise buildings in these cities. The cities come under danger zone as the Yamuna and Hindon rivers pass through the areas.

According to officials, builders are allowed to construct multi-storey buildings after their projects’ maps are approved by structural engineers. The design of the buildings is prepared in compliance with the National Building Code, under which the building’s base is prepared in proportion to its height. The builder prepares a foundation of concrete, iron and other materials and once the authority gives a no-objection certificate (NOC), the construction beyond foundation starts. “The Chief Architect Planner (CAP) and structure engineer approve the map after going through the safety norms. If the builder applies for the extension of a building’s height, the department concerned first checks the building’s foundation and then the strength of the pillars,” said Manoj Rai, official on special duty (OSD), Noida Authority. Rai looks after building and construction activity.

Rajpal Tyagi, the authority’s former CAP, said the building and construction department checks the soil and tests the area’s water quality before giving a nod to a project. The department also follows norms of foreign countries, especially Japan, for the construction of high-rises. “The area falls in danger zone. Hence, buildings are being constructed on quake-proof technology,” said Tyagi.

GDA officials, too, claim following safety norms laid by the top authorities. “The buildings in and around the city are safe as they are quake-proof and even cracks can’t develop in them,” said a senior official.

Rama Raman, chairman and CEO of the Noida and Greater Noida authorities stressed that there is no fear to people living in multi-storey buildings as they are quake-resistant. The foundation of the buildings has been laid after the project passed soil and other tests. “As the buildings have been designed, considering safety norms, occupants of the flats need not panic. Buildings in the area are safe and can face quake up to the intensity of eight on the Richter scale,” said Raman, adding that the district administration has been asked to conduct a survey of areas that do not fall under the authorities’ jurisdiction.