Retired Engineers to Promote Safe Construction Practices in Himachal Pradesh

The Central Government has identified 25 out of 33 notified disaster-prone areas in Himachal Pradesh. The state is vulnerable to various natural disasters, including earthquakes, landslides, floods, and droughts, with earthquakes being a significant concern. The earthquake-prone zone in the state encompasses approximately 3296 geographical regions, mainly falling within Zone V, indicating very high seismicity. Some regions fall within Zone IV, signifying varying levels of earthquake vulnerability.

To reduce the vulnerability to earthquakes and enhance safety, the promotion of safe construction practices is of paramount importance. Such measures not only reduce post-disaster damage but also safeguard human lives. Predicting earthquakes is not possible; hence, preparing earthquake-resistant building practices is crucial.

In a hilly state like Himachal Pradesh, the cultivation of a culture of safe construction practices is essential. To do this, there is a need for a strong pool of retired engineers with technical expertise who can raise awareness about earthquake-resistant construction practices. Their direct contribution will not only benefit in mitigating damage but also in safeguarding human lives.

These retired technical professionals, primarily in the field of Civil Engineering, are being considered for the creation of a database by the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA). These individuals have diverse experiences in different departments.

The database of these service providers will be made available on the websites of the State Disaster Management Authority and District Disaster Management Authorities. This will facilitate the seamless exchange of technical services as per the requirements of those seeking to construct buildings, ensuring that safe construction practices are widely adopted across the state.

This initiative aims to foster mutual understanding between construction aspirants and service providers, without any government interference. Interested service providers can register on the website of the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HP SDMA) at www.hpsdma.nic.in.

In the upcoming times, this initiative will contribute to the proliferation of safe construction practices, making Himachal Pradesh a safer place for building activities.