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City realtors scout for cutting-edge tech
With Gurgaon falling in the seismic zone IV, city developers are planning tie-ups with experts in Japan and USA to provide high-tech earthquake-proof buildings. Sanjeev K Ahuja reports.
With Gurgaon falling in the seismic zone IV, city developers are planning tie-ups with experts in Japan and USA to provide high-tech earthquake-proof buildings. According to real estate players, the high-rises built using the cutting edge technology can withstand earthquakes much better than the normal quake resistant buildings.
These high-tech apartments are many times costlier than normal buildings, say realtors.
Navin Raheja, chairman and managing director of Raheja Group, said the construction norms for quake-resistant building given in National Building and Construction Code were not that stringent.
"By using 'base isolators and rollers' techniques, we can enhance the durability of buildings. We are in the process of tying up with global firms who have constructed buildings in Japan and California," he said.
Raheja said his company is in touch with builders of Burj Khalifa tower in Dubai, the tallest building in the world. The tower is designed in such a manner that it can resist massive earthquakes.
Meanwhile, some developers going for all-steel structure that not only speeds up construction work, but gives extra endurance to the building. One such building is coming up in Sector 32, Gurgaon.
Excessive extraction of water decreases the adhesive quality of the soil. This also induces quakes. "Developers engaged in high-paced construction activities are the culprits. They are extracting water for their projects. If this continues unchecked, the groundwater in Gurgaon would vanish after few years," said a scientist.
Gurgaon already has a number of earthquake-resistant buildings constructed by private developers. An example of such building is the ship-type DLF Gateway Tower. "I had visited that building at the time of construction. It can resist high-magnitude quakes," said Dr AK Shrivastava, an expert.
