The Uttarakhand government has set up a 14-member expert committee to revise the Uttarakhand building bylaws. Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan formed the panel on the direction of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. Notably, the move follows the new BIS earthquake code, which places the whole state in Seismic Zone VI. At present, the bylaws still follow the 2002 version of the IS 1893 code. Hence, the state wants rules that match its higher earthquake risk.
Who Heads the Expert Committee?
R. Pradeep Kumar, Director of CSIR-Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) Roorkee, chairs the committee. Meanwhile, Shantanu Sarkar, Director of the Uttarakhand Landslide Mitigation and Management Centre (ULMMC), serves as convener. Members include experts from the Bureau of Indian Standards, IIT Roorkee and BRIDCUL. Also, the PWD, Irrigation and Town and Country Planning departments have a place. In addition, development authorities and geologists will take part.
What the Panel Will Review
First, the committee will study the existing bylaws in detail. Then, it will add earthquake and landslide safety measures and modern construction technologies. Moreover, it will examine land-use rules, building materials and environmental safeguards. Finally, it will suggest training for engineers, planners and departments.
Focus on Safe Construction
Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman said the new rules will stress earthquake-resistant design. Besides, they will cover geotechnical investigation, wind load assessment and structural safety. Traditional hill building methods will also find a place. Suman said, “The objective is not merely regulatory change but fostering a culture of safe construction.”
Why the Seismic Zone VI Shift Matters
Earlier, Uttarakhand fell in Zones IV and V of the old map. However, the revised BIS map now puts the entire Himalayan belt in Zone VI. As a result, roads, bridges and schools must now withstand very strong quakes. Currently, the rules allow seven to eight storeys in the plains and three to four in the hills.
Uttarakhand Building Bylaws: Key Facts for Revision
- Panel size: 14 members
- Chair: R. Pradeep Kumar, Director, CSIR-CBRI Roorkee
- Convener: Shantanu Sarkar, Director, ULMMC Dehradun
- Old basis: IS 1893 (2002); new code places the state in Zone VI
- Report to: USDMA and the Housing Department
Why Uttarakhand Building Bylaws Matter for UKPSC
Notably, disaster management and seismic zoning are core UKPSC topics. So, remember the chair, the convener and the Zone VI shift. Also, link this reform with the BIS seismic zone map placing Uttarakhand in Zone VI. For official updates, also visit the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority. Next, for a related story, read about the Uttarakhand earthquake siren test on the 9th of every month. You can also download our free Uttarakhand Current Affairs magazine.
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