Chennai buildings built without seismic activity factors pose threat

26 Aug 2021 CW Team

Chennai, which falls below the seismic zone III, is classified as a moderate risk zone. According to the experts, there is a need for scaling up buildings to make them earthquake-resistant. So that residents are safe in the event of a natural calamity.

The infrastructure constructed over a decade ago is unlikely to pass for the current seismic needs of the National Building Code, updated based on the frequency of earthquakes.

As per the experts, the magnitude effect of the earthquake on the structures would have been higher if the epicentre was near its coast.

T M Ramakrishnan, the Chennai structural engineer, told the media that older buildings did undergo damages in such situations.

The engineer said that there is a lack of awareness about the seismic parameters for homes besides looking for public transport, water, etc.

The buildings built over a decade ago should be fixed to comply with seismic codes and designs. Ramakrishnan revealed that retrofitting now is very common in cities like Mumbai and Delhi.

The Tamil Nadu Combined Development and Building Rules has laid down norms for adhering to the National Building Code for constructions varying from single storey to multi-storey buildings.

The former chairman of the Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Association of India (CREDAI) told the media that developers have shifted to Mivan technology to make buildings earthquake-resistant.

Image Source

Also read: Buildings can now be developed within a year using new tech

Infrastructure Energy

17 Dec 2025

Vedanta Aluminium Uses 1.57 bn Units of Green Energy in FY25

Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, recently reported consumption of 1.57 billion units of renewable energy in FY25, marking a significant milestone in its 2030 decarbonisation roadmap. The company also achieved an 8.96 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity compared to FY21, reinforcing its leadership in India’s low-carbon manufacturing transition. During FY25, Vedanta Aluminium expanded its renewable energy portfolio through long-term power purchase agreements, strengthening its strategy to source nearly 1,500 MW of renewable power over the lon..

Oberoi Group to Develop Luxury Resort at Makaibari Tea Estate

EIH Limited, the flagship company of The Oberoi Group, has announced the signing of a management agreement to develop an Oberoi luxury resort at the iconic Makaibari Tea Estate in Darjeeling. The project marks a key milestone in the Group’s long-term strategy of creating distinctive hospitality experiences in rare and environmentally significant locations. Established in 1859, Makaibari is one of the world’s oldest tea estates and is globally recognised for its Himalayan landscape, primary forests and exceptional biodiversity. Spread across 1,236 acres, the estate houses one of the world�..

GHV Infra Secures Rs 1.09 Bn EPC Order in Jamshedpur

GHV Infra Projects Ltd, a fast-growing EPC company in India’s infrastructure and construction sector, has recently secured a Rs 1.09 billion work order in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand. Awarded by a reputed group entity, the contract covers end-to-end civil construction, mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems, along with high-quality finishing works for a large building development. The project will be executed over a 30-month period, with defined benchmarks for quality, safety and timely delivery. The order strengthens GHV Infra’s footprint in Jamshedpur, a key industrial hub known fo..