Earthquake vulnerability of Guj industries to be studied

Two projects for measuring earthquake vulnerability of vital industrial installations along the Gujarat coastline and making a seismic hazard assessment of important cities in the state have been undertaken by the Institute of Seismological Research.  

Under the project titled 'Seismic Vulnerability of Coastal Installation', the Gandhinagar-based institute plans to assess structural designs and geophysical conditions at vital industrial establishments in Gulf of Kutch region falling under the seismic zone four.  

While under project 'Seismic Microzonation', the institute was conducting studies in upcoming GIFT (Gujarat International Finance Tech) city, Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR), Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad and Bharuch districts, which fall under seismic zone three to assess potential hazard in case of earthquake.  Gujarat's Kutch district was hit by a massive earthquake in January 2001 which claimed lives of thousands.  

"The Gulf of Kutch region fall under seismic zone five, while coastal region of Jamnagar district where there are major petroleum installations fall under zone four," ISR Director General B K Rastogi told PTI.  

The industrial installations in Jamnagar include Reliance Petroleum refinery and the Essar oil refinery, while in Gulf of Kutch lie important ports like Kandla and Mundra.

"Seismic assessment of these units become necessary to estimate the potential hazard that could be caused in the region in case of an earthquake," Rastogi said.  The 'Seismic Vulnerability of Coastal Installation' was being funded by the Union Government and is likely to begin in next financial year, under which a team of experts would be visiting the industries, he said.  

"Our aim is not to pick faults in their construction or structural designs. We would be looking at the foundation and structural design of building, take geo-technical measurements and do a seismic hazard assessment," Rastogi said.  "We would also, if asked for, advice them on what additional facilities they need to create to minimise damage during earthquake," he said.  

For the project, they have collaborated with the International Institute of Technology-Hyderabad (IIT-H), and the Geological Survey of India (GSI).  With regard to 'Seismic Microzonation', Rastogi said, it was a very rigorous process which requires digging holes inside the earth, collecting soil samples at various depths and conducting various geotechincal and geophysical tests.  

"Under this project, we would be studying variation in soil layers at various sites in the cities to understand soil behaviours during strong tremors," Rastogi said.