Disaster Mitigation - Active Role of BMTPC

INITIATIVES TAKEN BY THE BUILDING MATERIALS & TECHNOLOGY PROMOTION COUNCIL (BMTPC), FOR DISASTER PREPAREDNESS, MITIGATION AND MANAGEMENT

1.

Recognising the need for evolving appropriate strategies as a follow up of Yokohama Strategy for Safer Habitat, the Ministry of Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation had constituted an

Expert Group to examine the issues related to identification of vulnerable areas and to workout appropriate measures for disaster reduction and mitigation, with reference to earthquakes, cyclones, and floods. The Yokohama Strategy 1994, to which India was also a signatory, stipulates a shift from the post-disaster management to pre-disaster mitigation, prevention and preparedness strategies to be evolved by each country.

In view of the lack of awareness and effective enforcement of disaster resistant design and construction practices at local levels, the Expert Group was also asked to make recommendations for a techno-legal regime and evolve appropriate technical guidelines.

Based on the advice of the Expert Group, BMTPC published the Vulnerability Atlas of India. Other recommendations made by the Expert Group provide ready reference for the State and local authorities to plan for preventive actions and implement measures for mitigation and preparedness.

The Report has covered inter-alia the following issues:

Identification of various hazard prone areas,

Vulnerability and Risk Assessment of Buildings,

Disaster damage scenarios,

Technical Guidelines for Hazard Resistant Construction of Buildings.

Upgrading of Hazard Resistance of Existing Housing Stock by Retrofitting, and

Techno-Legal Regime to be adopted

Based on the findings as above, Recommendations for strategies to be adopted and Action Plan for consideration of the Government have been made.

2.
In May 1998 the Secretary, the then Ministry of UA&E addressed the Chief Secretaries of all

States and Union Territories emphasising the need to promote the Vulnerability Atlas and examine the recommendations of the Expert Group. The States were advised to bring necessary modification

in their respective building bye-laws and regulations, land use zoning, development control rules and town & country planning acts based on the recommendations of the Expert Group.

3.
In the State Housing Ministers Conference on Vulnerability Atlas was formally released, a special Technical Session on Natural and Man-made Hazards was devoted to a detailed presentation covering the usefulness of the Vulnerability Atlas and the recommendations of the Expert Group. The general consensus emerged that there is a need to bring out State-wise Atlases so that the same can be utilised by the State Administration. These State-wise Atlases have now been prepared.
8-9 June, 1998, where the BMTPC’s

4.
A film titled "Build A Safer Tomorrow" was also made by BMTPC for creating awareness on the concepts of disaster mitigation and preparedness. The film was screened during Housing Ministers’ Conference in the Inaugural Session and also during the Technical Session devoted for the theme.

The copies of this film have been made available to several disaster management institutes in different states.

5.
Responding to the natural disasters in Uttarkashi (1991); Latur, Maharashtra (1993); Jabalpur (1997); Chamoli (1999); and Katchch Gujarat (2001), the BMTPC has undertaken Rapid Damage Assessment Studies with the following objectives:

Zonation of affected areas and estimates of the total loss to buildings (by building type and damage grade) in urban and rural areas.

Preparation of Technical Visual Damage Identification Guide for the Field Assessment of Damage

Development of a Technology Package for Repair and Reconstruction of damaged buildings (by building type) and specifications and cost estimates for the same.

Identification of priority areas for intervention in the short and medium term, using local, State and Central Government and other donor assistance.

To prepare Technology Action Plan for repair, reconstruction and retrofitting of the damaged houses and buildings.

6.
Housing being a State subject, the Hon. Minister for Urban Development & Poverty Alleviation in February 2001, addressed to the Chief Ministers of all the States/UTs. requesting them to adopt a Techno Legal Regime involving amendments and revision of existing building

bye-laws and regulations to ensure quake resistant construction of buildings and houses.

7.
During the meeting of State Ministers In charge of Housing, Urban Development, Local Self-Government convened by Ministry of Urban Development & Poverty Alleviation on March 14, 2001, the representatives of various State/U.T. Governments agreed in principle to bring in their building bye-laws, rules, regulations necessary amendments and provisions for safety measures in construction of houses & buildings with respect to natural disasters like earthquake and cyclones. Responding to this, so far action has been taken by two States, i.e. Gujarat and Delhi.

8.
A Technical Committee was appointed by Government of Gujarat, Urban Development and Urban Housing Department "to examine the need for changes in the techno-legal regime for revision of technological framework including Development Control Regulations" under the Chairmanship of Mr. T.N. Gupta, ED- BMTPC. The Report of the Technical Committee was given to the State Government in April 2001. The Gujarat Govt. has issued notification amending their Building Bye-laws, Development Control Regulations for Corporations, Cities and bigger municipal towns. For Delhi, the Ministry of Urban Development & Poverty Alleviation has already issued a Gazette Notification making the suitable amendments/additions in Building Bye-laws. The issue for amendment in the building bye-laws is being pursued with other State Governments.

9.
In order to draft a comprehensive legislation to regulate and control the activities of builders and developers, and for bringing in a legislation for an effective law for Delhi and other Union Territories and to have a model law which could be recommended for adoption by the State Government, a committee under the Chairmanship of Secretary (UD), Deptt. of Urban Development, Ministry of Urban Development & Poverty Alleviation was constituted vide order No. K-14011/15/2001-UD.III dt. 26^th March 2001.

10.
The Ministry of Urban Development & Poverty Alleviation, Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) and Building Materials & Technology Promotion Council (BMTPC), and Indian Buildings Congress (IBC) jointly organised the "National Seminar on Habitat Safety against Earthquakes & Cyclones" on 2^nd and 3^rd May, 2001 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. In the backdrop of the recent devastating earthquake in Gujarat, the Seminar provided an opportunity for intense interaction and exchange of views on the issues concerning the safety of people and buildings from hazards like earthquakes, cyclones and floods. Wide ranging recommendations covering complex issues like Micro-zonation of select vulnerable 100 cities, culture of safety & preparedness, creating awareness on a large scale and many others have been made during the National Seminar.

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	The Report has covered inter-alia the following issues:
		Identification of various hazard prone areas, Vulnerability and Risk Assessment of Buildings, Disaster damage scenarios, Technical Guidelines for Hazard Resistant Construction of Buildings. Upgrading of Hazard Resistance of Existing Housing Stock by Retrofitting, and Techno-Legal Regime to be adopted
	Based on the findings as above, Recommendations for strategies to be adopted and Action Plan for consideration of the Government have been made.


2.	In May 1998 the Secretary, the then Ministry of UA&E addressed the Chief Secretaries of all
		States and Union Territories emphasising the need to promote the Vulnerability Atlas and examine the recommendations of the Expert Group. The States were advised to bring necessary modification
			in their respective building bye-laws and regulations, land use zoning, development control rules and town & country planning acts based on the recommendations of the Expert Group.


3.	In the State Housing Ministers Conference on Vulnerability Atlas was formally released, a special Technical Session on Natural and Man-made Hazards was devoted to a detailed presentation covering the usefulness of the Vulnerability Atlas and the recommendations of the Expert Group. The general consensus emerged that there is a need to bring out State-wise Atlases so that the same can be utilised by the State Administration. These State-wise Atlases have now been prepared.	8-9 June, 1998, where the BMTPC’s

4.		A film titled "Build A Safer Tomorrow" was also made by BMTPC for creating awareness on the concepts of disaster mitigation and preparedness. The film was screened during Housing Ministers’ Conference in the Inaugural Session and also during the Technical Session devoted for the theme.
	The copies of this film have been made available to several disaster management institutes in different states.

6.				Housing being a State subject, the Hon. Minister for Urban Development & Poverty Alleviation in February 2001, addressed to the Chief Ministers of all the States/UTs. requesting them to adopt a Techno Legal Regime involving amendments and revision of existing building
	bye-laws and regulations to ensure quake resistant construction of buildings and houses.


8.	A Technical Committee was appointed by Government of Gujarat, Urban Development and Urban Housing Department "to examine the need for changes in the techno-legal regime for revision of technological framework including Development Control Regulations" under the Chairmanship of Mr. T.N. Gupta, ED- BMTPC. The Report of the Technical Committee was given to the State Government in April 2001. The Gujarat Govt. has issued notification amending their Building Bye-laws, Development Control Regulations for Corporations, Cities and bigger municipal towns. For Delhi, the Ministry of Urban Development & Poverty Alleviation has already issued a Gazette Notification making the suitable amendments/additions in Building Bye-laws. The issue for amendment in the building bye-laws is being pursued with other State Governments.
8.