Learn from Hudhud: Builders
Ensure capital is cyclone, quake and flood resistant, say experts
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2014-10-15 06:47 GMT
Vijayawada: The state government should learn from the devastation caused by Cyclone Hudhud and take all precautionary measures to ensure that the state capital is cyclone and earthquake resistant, observed several noted builders.The builders said that since Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu wants a riverfront capital, the fact that Guntur and Krishna districts are flood-prone areas must be kept in mind, they said. “The best building technology available internationally must be used to ensure that cyclones, earthquakes or floods do not cause widespread damage to the capital,” various builders, as if in one voice.
Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India (CREDAI) state president A Sivareddy said that as Vijayawada is cyclone-prone and falls under a seismic zone, the national building code should be implemented while building high-rise buildings that are taller than 18 metres.
Greater Vijayawada Builders Association president G. Rajling said that builders should follow the rules and IS codes in design of structures and the certificates from structural engineers must be mandatory for all high-rise buildings.
He said that there was every aspect has been covered in existing rules and builders must be severely punished if they violate the rules.K. Nagaraju, assistant professor, School of Planning and Architecture, said that builders should follow the norms as per the conditions of the area where they plan high-rise buildings. He said all buildings should be earthquake and cyclone resistant.
As Manginapudi, on the seacoast, is just 50 km away from Vijayawada city, the residents of Vijayawada also suffered due to heavy winds from cyclones several times in the past.