SDMA certificate to be mandatory for new buildings: Veeri

‘Following National Building Code will go long way in disaster mitigation’

SRINAGAR, JUNE 22: Minister for Revenue, Disaster Management, Relief, and Rehabilitation & Reconstruction Abdul Rehman Veeri today said Government is contemplating to make certificate of State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) compulsory for adhering to National Buildings Code in construction of new buildings.

          The Minister said that it will go a long way in mitigation of disaster impact, “Those who don’t follow the code shall be treated as offence.  DPR of every building should take care of fire safety, Flood and earthquake Resistant component. A circular will be issued to Development Commissioner Works, Chief Engineers and head of Departments to follow Building code in letter and spirit,” he told Officers during a high level meeting of State Disaster Management Authority.

The meeting was attended by Sandeep Naik Chief Executive Officer JTFRP, Commissioner Secretary H&UDD Hirdesh Kumar, Commissioner Secretary Revenue Mohammad Ashraf Mir, L Mohanty ADG SDRF, Chief Engineer R&B Kashmir Sheikh Hameed, Imtiyaz Ahmed Dhar Chief Engineer I&FC Deptt, SMC Commissioner Dr Shafkat Khan, Khursheed Ahmed CE S&O PDD,  Rajinder K Hak Director F&ES, Principal GMC Srinagar Samia Rashid,  Daleep Thusoo MD JKPCC, A.R. War Additional Commissioner Kashmir ,Tariq Ahmed Director Planning(PWD), Aamir Ali Director Disaster Management and other officers from different departments.  

The Minister stressed on putting a place mechanism of ensuring certification of structural safety of buildings by the competent professional and peer review of design of buildings is strengthened. 

          He also said that latest structural loading and design and construction codes including those relating to wind load, earthquake resistant design of buildings, steel design and foundations be incorporated with a view to ensure structural safety of buildings in disaster.

Mr Veeri also directed for formulating a committee headed by Revenue Secretary for bringing more vibrancy and effectiveness in the working of State Disaster Management Authority. The members would be from Kashmir University, Jammu University, Remote and Geo sensing department and other experts related to the subject.

While saying that disasters in the past have left many lessons to be learned which are very essential to plan infrastructure and even to mitigate such calamities in future, The Minister asked the SDMA to carry out Seismic Microzoning study for hazard assessment  and risk evaluation.

 The Minister also asked the SDMA team who had recently wrapped up their Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority (GSDMA) visit to submit a report for further improving the working of SDMA.

Mr Veeri also asked the officers to expedite the process of setting up of Emergency Operation Center at Humhama.