(a) whether the capital Delhi falls in a seismic-zone;
(b) if so, the level of seismic-zone thereof, the area of the capital which falls in the higher seismic-zone, the area which falls in the lesser seismic-zone; and
(c) the steps being taken by the Government to minimize the damage in the higher
seismic-zone area?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING, MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE
AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES(SHRI ASHWANI KUMAR)
(a) Yes Madam.
(b) Bureau of Indian Standards [IS-1893 (Part-1): 2002] has grouped the country into four
seismic zones viz. Zone-II, III, IV and V of these, Zone V is the most seismically active
region, while zone II is the least. As per this zoning, the entire Delhi region falls in
seismic zone IV and as per this classification, the Delhi region is classified as “Severe
intensity zone†and is broadly considered to be associated with maximum earthquake effects, as
per intensity VIII on Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) scale as detailed below:
“Damage slight in specially designed structures; considerable in ordinary but substantial
buildings with partial collapse; very heavy in poorly built structures; panel walls thrown out
of framed structures; falling of chimney, factory stacks, columns, monuments, and walls; heavy
furniture overturned, sand and mud ejected in small amounts; changes in well water; and
disturbs persons driving motor cars.â€
(c) Guidelines have also been published by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Building
Materials & Technology Promotion Council (BMTPC), Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) for the design and construction of
earthquake resistant structures to minimize the loss of life and damage to property caused by
earthquakes. The Government has completed the 1st level seismic microzonation study of NCT of
Delhi on 1:50000 scale. The seismic microzonation maps are useful in land use planning,
formulation of site specific design and construction criteria for the buildings and structures,
towards minimizing the damage to property and loss of life caused by earthquakes. The
Government has implemented various programmes to educate and raise awareness amongst school
children and general public on various aspects of earthquakes, their impacts and measures to
mitigate losses.