DEHRADUN: In response to Uttarakhand’s heightened seismic vulnerability, the state government has launched a thorough revision of its building bylaws to incorporate updated earthquake safety standards.
According to an official release, this initiative aligns with the Indian Standard ISO 1893-2025, which categorizes the entire state within a high seismic zone.
The government announced plans to amend current construction regulations to enhance their scientific basis, resilience against disasters, and adherence to modern engineering practices. Presently, the building bylaws in Uttarakhand are founded on the outdated Bureau of Indian Standards framework ISO 1893-2002.
Guided by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan has appointed a 14-member high-level committee tasked with reviewing and updating the existing bylaws. R Pradeep Kumar, Director of CSIR-CBRI Roorkee, will lead the committee, with Shantanu Sarkar, Director of ULMMC Dehradun, acting as the convenor.
The committee includes representatives from various organizations such as CBRI Roorkee, the Bureau of Indian Standards, IIT Roorkee, BRIDCUL, the Public Works Department, the Irrigation Department, local planning authorities, and geological experts. Input from architects and engineers will also be sought during the review process.
Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan emphasized that due to Uttarakhand’s delicate Himalayan landscape and increasing seismic sensitivity, revising construction regulations has become imperative. The government’s goal is to enhance building bylaws to improve their effectiveness and practicality, thereby mitigating disaster risk in both urban and rural settings.
Secretary of Disaster Management and Rehabilitation, Vinod Kumar Suman, noted that the intent is not just regulatory reform but also to cultivate a culture focused on safe construction. The revised bylaws will prioritize earthquake-resistant design, geotechnical analysis, wind load assessment, and structural safety. Additionally, traditional construction methods suited to hilly regions and climate-responsive planning will be integrated scientifically for sustainable development.
The committee’s responsibilities will involve reviewing current bylaws, incorporating measures for mitigating earthquake and landslide risks, adopting modern construction technologies, ensuring environmental protection, and outlining an implementation strategy. They will also propose training and capacity-building initiatives for engineers, planners, and related departments.
Upon completion of its review, the committee will submit its findings to the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority and the Housing Department, after which the necessary amendments and implementation processes will commence.
