Building bylaws to be amended in Uttarakhand

Keeping in mind the increasing seismic vulnerability of the state of Uttarakhand, the state government has taken a major step towards making building construction rules safer and more scientific.

With the entire state being included in earthquake zone six as per the Indian Standards ISO 1893-2025, the building bylaws will now undergo extensive revision. On the instructions of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan has constituted a 14-member high-level committee headed by Prof. R. Pradeep Kumar, Director of CSIR-CBRI Roorkee, to review and revise the current building bylaws. Dr. Shantanu Sarkar, Director of ULMMC, has been appointed the convener of the committee. It should be noted that the building bylaws in Uttarakhand are currently based on the old version of the Bureau of Indian Standards ISO 1893-2002.

The committee includes representatives from various technical institutions, including CBRI Roorkee, Bureau of Indian Standards, IIT, BRIDCUL, Public Works Department, Irrigation Department, Town and Country Planning Department, development authorities, and geological experts. The committee will also consult with architects and various engineers. The committee’s objective is to thoroughly study the state’s existing bylaws and adapt them to current seismic standards, climatic conditions, and modern construction techniques.

The Chief Secretary stated that changes are being made to the building rules in view of Uttarakhand’s geographical conditions and increasing seismic vulnerability. The state government is taking concrete steps to make building bylaws more effective, practical, and disaster-resilient. In this regard, the expert committee has been formed. The committee will provide suggestions to make building bylaws more practical, safe, and disaster-resilient. He stated that the revised rules will promote safe construction in urban and rural areas and reduce disaster risk.

Secretary of Disaster Management and Rehabilitation, Vinod Kumar Suman, stated that the state government’s goal is not merely to amend regulations but to foster a culture of safe construction. He explained that the revised building bylaws will focus on incorporating provisions related to earthquake-resistant design, geotechnical investigations, wind loads, and structural safety. He also stated that local traditional construction techniques and climate-resilient development will be promoted, ensuring sustainable and disaster-resilient development.

The implementation of the new building bylaws will enhance the structural strength of buildings, reduce loss of life and property during disasters, and provide a new direction for safe and sustainable urban development and construction. The committee will submit its report to the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority and the Housing Department. Based on the committee’s report, the Housing Department will proceed with the necessary amendments and implementation of the bylaws.

Regulations of the Committee

• Comprehensive review, analysis, and assessment of existing technologies of the current building bylaws in the state of Uttarakhand.
• Drafting revised building bylaws to incorporate earthquake, landslide, and other disaster risks prevalent in the state.
• Incorporating provisions related to earthquake-resistant design, new construction technologies, and structural safety.
• Scientifically integrating traditional hill construction systems into modern regulations.
• Developing special provisions for environmental protection and climate-friendly construction.
• Presenting action plans and guidelines for effective implementation of the revised regulations.

Providing suggestions for training and capacity building for engineers, planners, and related departments.

The committee is comprised of:
Prof. R. Pradeep Kumar, Director, CSIR-CBRI, Roorkee, and Dr. Shantanu Sarkar, Director, ULMMC, Dehradun, as its convener. The committee also includes Dr. Ajay Chaurasia (Chief Scientist, CBRI, Roorkee), Prof. Mahua Mukherjee (Department of Architecture, IIT Roorkee), Ms. Madhurima Madhav (Scientist ‘B’, Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi), Dr. P.K. Das (Senior Rural Housing Advisor, UNDP), Architect S.K. Negi (Former Chief Scientist, CBRI Shimla), nominated representative of Uttarakhand Housing and Urban Development Authority, Managing Director of BRIDCUL, Chief Engineers and Heads of Departments of Public Works Department and Irrigation Department, representative of Town and Country Planning Department of the State, representatives of Mussoorie-Dehradun Development Authority and Haridwar-Roorkee Development Authority along with earthquake expert Dharmendra Kushwaha and geophysicist Dr. Vishal Vats have been included as members.