Article no 1

The tremors in Nepal have barely died down. The collective hearts of Indians go out to our
neighbours with whom we have strong linkages of culture and religion apart from
geographical proximity.
We do not require such jolts from our northern borders to remind us that the design of earthquake resistant
construction though an intricate structural engineering issue is well within the expertise of the Indian
engineering profession.

the Unified Building Bye-Laws are currently under preparation by the MOUD who in good
faith has entrusted the responsibility to the Delhi Urban Art Commission. The Delhi Urban
Art Commission (DUAC) was formed under the Architects Act 1972, to preserve the artistic
essence of the city since Architecture has always been considered to be more of an art form
rather than a scientific & mathematical study. For the exercise of preparing Unified Building
Bye Laws the Delhi Urban Art Commission has formed a drafting committee comprising a
majority of Architects in Private Practice, and in its wisdom , not thought it relevant to
include any representatives from engineering consultancy organizations or engineers actively
engaged in Private Practice who are directly involved with the Engineering design of
innumerable important Structures which provide a sense of safety & security to the general
public and thereby fuel the growth potential of the Country. It is even more surprising to note
that important Government design & construction agencies like CDO, CPWD, PWD &
MES are also not represented in the drafting committee on Building Bye-Laws. We have
written several letters to DUAC & MOUD to include senior structural engineers in the
drafting Committee but the same has not been done. As a result public safety at large, is on
the verge of being irrevocably compromised.
We bring this to your kind notice to avoid an adverse situation in our Country where the
NDMA and NDRF have to be mobilized for the required disaster mitigation services, which
is avoidable.

Article no 2
on "Foreign Hand" as well as Building Design: who is accountable?
In the articles, I notice that while highlighting the COA Act clauses,
you have downplayed the role of the Services engineers who play
a very important role in Building Design.
An architect is responsible for space planning and aesthetics to make
a building functional, besides following the building bye laws.
The form he selects can be detrimental to safety and stability of the
building, unless this aspect is appropriately taken care of by the
experienced competent Engineers, who are responsible and
accountable under the Consumer Protection Act, in the very
conception stage.
The events in aftermath of the earthquake in Nepal of 25th April 2015 ,
bear testimony to this bitter truth. For Non engineered buildings and
buildings, where only an architect on his own, issues construction
structural drawing, who is to blame. Only a competent Engineer well
versed in Earthquake Resistant design can address safety issues and insist on
a suitable form.
The local architect, having competency as defined in National Building Code
of India,(NBC of India) 2005, is responsible to follow the bye-laws framed
by the civic agencies. He also has to act within norms set by Bureau of
Indian Standards, a statutory body, in National Building Code of India 2005,
to follow all codal provisions for other MEP services
The structure stability certificate can be issued only by the design structural
engineer, having competence and experience, as defined in NBC of India 2005.
He is therefore accountable to the owner and society for safety and stability
of the building. Enforcement of this aspect by civic agencies should be not just
at sanction stage level, when designs are only sketchy, but at completion stage
also where certificate from construction supervising engineer is required to
ensure strict compliance with construction working drawings issued by the engineer.
Responsibility of the foreign architect is generally limited to creating an
attractive layout and elevation only , and this becomes the Ultimate Sales
Pitch (USP) for the builder.
"The Errors That Engineers Commit, Live After Them
But the Good ,That They Do, is Oft Interned (hidden) With Their Work !!"