Kangra makes earthquake retrofitting mandatory

Kangra Deputy Commissioner Hemraj Bairwa announced that earthquake retrofitting of buildings was being made mandatory in the district to minimise damage from potential seismic events.

Speaking at the inauguration of a two-day state-level workshop on earthquake retrofitting and repair techniques for civil engineers, organised by the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA) at Dhauladhar Hotel on Wednesday, he emphasised the urgent need for such measures in the earthquake-prone region.

He said the Disaster Management Authority has already initiated retrofitting of buildings, beginning with schools and hospitals. In the first phase, funds have been allocated for the retrofitting of 10 buildings in Kangra district. An additional 30 buildings have been selected for the second phase.

DC Bairwa stressed that earthquake retrofitting significantly enhances the resilience of buildings, thereby protecting both lives and property during earthquakes. “Given Himachal Pradesh’s vulnerability to seismic activity, it is essential that our structures are equipped with such safety measures,” he said.

Director of HPSDMA, DC Rana, added that the state government is working proactively on disaster preparedness and is also providing necessary training to engineers and officials. He highlighted the importance of adopting safe construction practices and taking proactive steps in disaster risk reduction.

The ongoing workshop is a collaborative effort between HPSDMA and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), Roorkee. It aims to build capacity among engineers from various departments by educating them on modern retrofitting and repair techniques.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Shilpi Bekta concluded the event by thanking the participants and dignitaries, including the chief guest, for contributing to the initiative.