Roorkee institute to retrofit 20 British-era buildings in Shimla

The Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), Roorkee, will undertake retrofitting of the British-era buildings in Shimla district, including the landmark colonial heritage properties, to make these earthquake-resistant,.

The buildings that will be retrofitted in the first phase include Raj Bhawan, Oak Over, Secretariat, Deputy Commissioner’s Office, Superintendent of Police’s Office, All India Radio Building and Doordarshan.

A two-day workshop was organised by the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) here today, which was presided over by Additional District Magistrate (Protocol) Jyoti Rana.

There are many old buildings in Shimla district, which need to be retrofitted so that disaster risk can be reduced. In the first phase, 20 old government buildings have been selected for retrofitting in Shimla district.

Rana said it was the buildings that cause maximum loss of life during an earthquake, for which we need to make them quake-resistant. Himachal Pradesh falls in the most vulnerable seismic zones four and five, which make these areas highly prone to earthquakes, she added.

The CBRI, Roorkee, has been asked to collect complete data of these buildings. “A form will be given to the department concerned by the state government. On the basis of the data filled in the form, the CBRI will send a proposal to the state government for retrofitting,” she stated.

Chief Scientist SK Negi and Scientist Ashish Kapoor from CBRI, Roorkee, were present as subject experts. Negi spoke in detail on building byelaws and Kapoor on seismic vulnerability assessment and structural aspects of the building. Officers and employees from the departments concerned were present on the occasion.