The Hindu Business Line : Campaign for changes in building code

THE Institution of Engineers (India) has initiated a nation-wide brainstorming campaign to bring about amendments in the National Building Code, which was last revised nearly two decades ago in 1983.

At the inaugural session of a two-day seminar on the subject here, Dr R.N. Banerjee, Chairman of IE(I), said that through a series of seminars, the organisation planned to discuss the new design and urban planning concepts in view of technological changes and availability of alternative building materials and standardisation of their specifications.

``The recommendations and suggestions thrown up at five such seminars would finally be wrapped up and presented in the form of a report to the Bureau of Indian Standards for incorporation in the revised code,'' Dr Banerjee said.

The IE(I)'s next meet would be in Hyderabad followed by one at Nagpur and another at Kochi. According him, the wrap-up roundtable would be held in New Delhi some time later this year.

Inaugurating the seminar, the West Bengal Minister for Municipal Affairs and Urban Development, Mr Ashok Bhattacharyya, said the State Government recently appointed a committee to recommend changes in building rules keeping in view the changes in the construction sector and the needs of the people.

``The building code should take care of all aspects of health, fire and constructional safety'', Mr Bhattacharyya observed. Reminding the engineers and urban planners about the objectives of the World Habitat Day, which was observed today throughout the world, the Minister urged them to consider steps for renewal of old settlement areas in a city or metropolis and formulate model rules for new urban settlements.

``We should attempt to prevent the growth of slums and strive for balanced urban development through regeneration of small and medium towns'', he added.

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