All new constructions done in the country's earthquake-prone areas will now have to comply with earthquake-resistant building codes. According to the National Disaster Management guidelines, released today, compliance will be mandatory with immediate effect for towns and cities in seismic zones III, IV and V.

For existing buildings, the guidelines have recommended a structural safety audit and retrofitting of "select critical lifeline structures and high-priority buildings". The selection, with special emphasis on government and public buildings to begin with, will be based on the degree of risk, potential loss of life and the estimated financial implications for the structure.

Releasing the guidelines, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil stressed on measures to "reduce apprehensions associated with multistoreyed buildings, high-rise apartments, business complexes, flyovers, bridges, shopping complexes, shopping malls, multiplexes and vital installations. Minister of Science and Technology Kapil Sibal, whose ministry was closely associated with the formulation of the guidelines, was also present.

Patil pointed out that major earthquakes over the last 15 years had left over 20,000 dead. These included the earthquakes in Latur in 1993, Jabalpur in 1997, Chamoli in 1999, Bhuj in 2001, Sumatra in 2004 which led to tsunami and the Jammu and Kashmir earthquake in 2005.

Vice-Chairperson of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) General N C Vij said the approach revolved around the "institutionalisation" of initiatives and activities based on scientific strategies covering prevention, mitigation, preparedness and post-earthquake components of emergent response, rehabilitation and recovery.

According to NDMA, the guidelines rest on six pillars, These are earthquake resistant construction of new structures; selective seismic strengthening and retrofitting of existing priority structures and lifeline structures; regulation and enforcement; awareness and preparedness; capacity development in education, training, R&D and emergent response.

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