(a) whether the Government have undertaken any studies after the devastating effect of the Gujarat earthquake, to save human lives and property in the urban and rural areas in such situations ;
(b) if so, the details thereof ;
(c) the funds made available to the Geological Survey of India for the purpose ;
(d) whether the G.S.I. has taken the aid and assistance of the experts available in the field across the world ; and
(e) if so, the details thereof ?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF MINES ( INDEPENDENT CHARGE) ( SHRI RAMESH BAIS )
(a) & (b) : Yes, Sir. Geological Survey of India (GSI) has carried out extensive post damage micro-seismic surveys of the earthquake affected areas. Some 300 localities spread over an area of 1.2 milion Sq. Km. were visited with the objectives of preparing the isoseismal maps of the earthquake. A 14 Station Micro Earthquake (MEQ) array was set up in the area to monitor the after shocks over a period of 3 months. The after shock data, fault plane solutions and iso-seismal map indicate that the causative plane along which the initial rupture occurred was a tectonic discontinuity trending N60o E - S60o W, following the Aravalli trend. GSI also carried out geotechnical investigation for selecting sites for relocation of some towns like Anjar, Bhachau, Raper, etc. of Kutch district. GSI has suggested active fault mapping and seismic microzonation of the vulnerable rural and urban areas. All the new structures in the vulnerable area should adhere to aseismic designs as per Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) code. Besides, create awareness about earthquake in the general public.
(c) : The expenditure on these studies was incurred by GSI from the provided budget.
(d) & (e) : Yes, Sir. GSI has initiated bilateral dialogue with expert agencies like Geological Survey of Japan and United States Geological Survey for possible collaboration between GSI and these organizations in the field of earthquake studies