Nitish Kumar asks builders

to make disaster-proof buildings

RAJGIR: Underlining the need for disaster-proof buildings in Patna and elsewhere, chief minister Nitish Kumar on Monday said buildings in the state capital were not safe as the standard procedure of making them disaster-proof was not strictly adhered to in the past. He asked builders to make buildings that are earthquake, flood and fire proof.

Discussing modalities of the proposed Draft Building Bylaws (DBB) with the builders at Udyami (entrepreneur) Panchayat at Rajgir, the CM said any proposal put forward by them with regard to making the proposed draft more flexible and conducive to stakeholders is always welcome, but they should ensure that the standard procedure in constructing buildings is adhered to.

Citing the example of earthquake in Russia when he was union agriculture minister, the CM said if an earthquake of that magnitude had hit Patna, it could have proved catastrophic. He also hinted that the masterplan for Patna and the metropolitan map would be brought into public domain and emphasized the construction rate in Bihar is around 11% against the national rate of 33% which should be increased to atleast 20% in the next financial year.

Replying to a question on constructing new cities by builders, the CM said the Town Planning Act is ready and the possibilities of developing satellite townships around Patna will be discussed at its next meeting in January.

The builders including the national vice president, Builders' Association of India, Manikant, Anil Sharma from COREAOI (NCR), V K Choudhry, vice-president, Indian Institute of Architects Council, Arun Kumar Agrawal from Bihar Industries Association and several others proposed incorporation of different measures in the Draft Building Bylaws including exemption of parking space from floor area ratio (FAR), amnesty for old constructions from DBB, linking of floor area ratio with population density, ensuring minimum value register and the use of flyash as building material and availability of stone chips among others.

Principal secretary (industries) Naveen Verma said a workshop is proposed next month with all the stake holders in Patna to finalize the draft proposals. He added that if required more meetings will be held in this regard. Ministers Ramai Ram, Narendra Narayan Yadav and Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, chief secretary Ashok Kumar Sinha and principal secretaries of various departments were also present on the occasion.

Source : TOI

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