Cost concerns delay safer building codes despite Himalayan threats
GS1History · Society · Geography· Physical geography (landforms, oceans, climate)· Mains·
Why in news
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) withdrew revised earthquake risk assessment guidelines for the Himalayan region and Northeast India due to concerns over infrastructure project costs.
Background
Government-commissioned studies over a decade indicate that current risk assessments underestimate potential earthquake damage. The studies suggest Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA) values in high-risk zones should be doubled or tripled compared to existing estimates.
Facts for Prelims
- BodyBureau of Indian Standards (BIS): Body responsible for formulating and withdrawing building safety guidelines.
- PlaceHimalayan region and Northeastern India: Identified as high-risk earthquake zones requiring updated risk assessments.
For Mains
Q. Discuss the conflict between scientific risk assessment and economic feasibility in infrastructure development in ecologically sensitive zones like the Himalayas.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Economic-Safety Trade-off: Balancing the high cost of seismic-resistant construction with the necessity of disaster-resilient infrastructure.
- Regulatory Bottleneck: Delay in standardizing PGA values due to concerns over public spending and private construction costs.
- Scientific Accuracy Gap: Underestimation of seismic risk in current building codes despite a decade of government-commissioned research.
Keywords: Seismic Risk Assessment · Peak Ground Acceleration · Infrastructure Resilience · Cost-Benefit Analysis · Disaster Mitigation
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