GUWAHATI, May 13 � Portions of the output of the six-year (2002-08) seismic microzonation study of Guwahati are an irrevocable part of the intensity zoning map of the city�s new building bye-laws. While preparing this intensity zoning map, other hazards faced by the city have also been taken into consideration, said sources in the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) today. The new building bye-laws of the city were published in February, 2014.
It needs mention here that there have been allegations that the output of the six-year seismic microzonation study of the city has not been made easily available to the common people, which has defeated the very purpose of undertaking the study.
When asked to clarify their stand on the issue, GMDA sources told this correspondent that the new building bye-laws of the city were prepared by a committee of experts including Prof J Pathak of the Assam Engineering College (AEC), consultant engineer Dr JN Khataniar and representatives of the GMDA, Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC), Public Works Department (PWD) and the Association of Architects, among others.
The map of the development intensity zone proposed in the building bye-laws incorporated �reference� to the seismic microzonation by including special provisions for buildings in natural hazard-prone areas by demarcating various intensity zones.
The intensity zones are very low intensity development zone, low intensity development zone and moderate and high intensity development zones, where developments are regulated and restricted through restructuring coverage, Floor Area Ratio (FAR) and height in very low and low intensity zones based on road width and plot size.
Thus, it is evident now that development in certain areas is controlled through suitability of land considering the seismic and other hazards, road width and plot size, the sources added.
Moreover, Chapter V of the 2014 Guwahati Building Bye-laws has clearly mentioned the various IS codes for general safety, protection from earthquake and landslide hazards, etc., said the sources.
Meanwhile, when contacted, noted consultant engineer JN Khataniar told this correspondent that the seismic microzonation of Guwahati city, 2008 under�the Union Department of Science and Technology (DST)�was a very laudable step of the GMDA. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi initiated this step for living with earthquakes in a scientific manner. The hazard and risk maps presented in the documents were very useful for land use planning and making hazard mitigation decisions.
But surprisingly, the long-term Master Plan for Guwahati Metropolitan Area-2025,�prepared by the New Delhi-based M/s Consulting Engineers Services, which was released in�July 2009, did not take into consideration the very important seismic microzoning atlas of Guwahati city for some unknown reasons. The seismic microzoning atlas of the city was made public on January 18, 2008, Khataniar said.