CDA to amend building bylaws to cope with seismic risk

ISLAMABAD—The Capital Development Authority will make amendments to bylaws governing construction in Islamabad to tighten up procedures in view of the seismic risks, CDA Chairman Kamran Lashari said Wednesday.
Last Saturday’s collapse of two blocks of Margalla Towers that left many dwellers dead has sparked criticism of the standard of construction.
“We will further streamline the procedures and introduce new safeguards against risk from seismic tremors,” said Lashari, who took over as chairman three years ago while Margalla Towers had already been built.
Lashari said structural design and construction would be done strictly in accordance with bylaws to minimise danger.
A panel of experts would be constituted to review the building code, regulations and law enforcement and verification systems, especially for the high-rise apartment blocks mushrooming in the Capital at a fast pace, he said. Islamabad has now been placed in “moderate-high” risk category by seismic experts after remaining in moderate category for years. The national bodies of engineers would be requested tocome up with suggestions on building laws for Islamabad, he added.
Referring to reports he said CDA has a town planner in its Planning Wing, who is currently on medical leave after undergoing surgery. Lashari said a special command and control system would also be developed to fully implement the bylaws and prevent any unauthorised construction and consequential risk to human lives.
He said a joint team of the Army and CDA has visited the site of the Margalla Towers Residential Complex and gathered details about the tragic collapse. The Chairman said that the Authority was also carrying out an internal investigation to determine whether any irregularity was committed in the construction the Margalla Towers.
The CDA has all the relevant record about Margalla Towers construction and whenever it is needed “we will immediately provide it to competent authorities,” he said.
“We are convinced that if there is any bungling in the construction work then those responsible for it should be brought to book which would definitely help the Authority boost its image,” he said.—APP