The need for earthquake resistant building

Our country has a long history of earthquakes with high magnitudes that have caused massive, widespread damage in several areas. Earthquakes take away several lives and leave thousands of people injured especially due to collapsed buildings. Earthquakes are not just life threatening, they also cause several cracks and damages to many buildings and multi-storeyed apartments. These earthquake effects have called for the need of earthquake resistant building in the country.

The recent earthquake in Nepal with a magnitude of 7.9 on the Richter scale have collapsed several buildings in Nepal and caused damages to various building in many cities in India as well. These effects and previous earthquakes in India have urged builders to use earthquake resistant steel in building construction. Post several high magnitude earthquakes in India in the past, the Steel Authority of India (SAIL) have started to develop reinforced steel bars such as TMT bars, EQ 500, Fe 500, EQR and HCR. These sturdy and robust steel bars that meet all quality norms of government when used in building construction offer the building extra durability to withstand earthquakes.

Though only large construction projects and top builders of Mumbai and other cities use such high-quality steel bars for construction, small builders and individual home builders are still negligible to earthquake resistant steel bars.

Recently to make all top builders in Mumbai and other metros know the importance of earthquake resistant building, the first, Taylor Devices India, the Indian subsidiary of US-based Taylor Devices Inc. has launched certification for earthquake resistance buildings in India. The company will construct earthquake resistant building using shock absorbers inside the wall. These shock absorbers uses the aerospace technology to keep building stay stronger even during earthquakes of higher magnitude of up to 7.5 on the Richter scale.

The Taylor Devices India categorizes building into Category A, B C & D based on their resistance to earthquakes. While Category A and B building can stand up to higher magnitude earthquakes, Category C and D need structural repair to endure earthquake. This company will give Taylor Protected' and 'Taylor Earthquake Protection' brand certification to building that fall under Category A and B. This certification will now allow home buyers to know about the earthquake resistance of the building they are planning to buy.

Not just use of high-quality steels and shock absorbers can make a building structurally sound and robust, but it also requires application of various engineering technology while constructing. Certain skyscrapers are built on ball bearings, springs, and padded cylinders that absorbs shocks and keep the building stand still while the ground shakes. These springs and cylinders moves with the ground during an earthquake rather shaking the whole of the building. When a building is constructed on a correct, strong foundation, then it can endure earthquakes of smaller magnitude.

India being one of the countries that come under Seismic Zones III, IV & V. the need for earthquake resistant building have become very vital. Though constructing earthquake proof building require a lot of technology and huge expenses, it is highly necessary to keep people alive during those massive earth calamity.  At least the New projects in Mumbai and in other cities if India should use shock absorbers and high-quality steel for construction

Locations in Mumbai where you should look to invest

With the air of uncertainty that surrounded the property buyers of Mumbai most likely to clear off in the coming weeks, one can expect a mad rush to pick out the unsold apartments in the city. With so many options available, both under construction and completed, many are looking for advice on who should invest where for the best ROI (Return on Investment) possible.
The following localities have been shortlisted as good spots in Mumbai Real Estate for investment based on factors like demand, growth prospects and current price point.

Chembur
The central suburb region is one of the major spots for property investment and Chembur hogs the limelight here. The location, as the name suggests is bang right in the middle between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai making it the most lucrative of all the suburbs to invest in right now. If you manage to choose a place that is close to the Eastern and the Western Expressways, commute to and away from the city will never be an issue anymore. With loads of amenities and excellent infrastructure expect a minimum of 15% appreciation in value annually! Prices start at Rs. 16000 a sq ft.

Mulund
Situated right in the cusp of Thane and Navi Mumbai, Mulund is one of the better planned suburbs of Mumbai. It is also one of the rare suburbs in the country that has equally good commercialization of the property market as much as it has been shared for residential purposes. Relatively large projects can be found in Mulund and the infrastructure makes it a costly affair with prices going up to Rs 18,000 a square feet! Expect good appreciation in rates though with the airport coming up soon.

Kanjumarg
Moving away from the suburbs and into the heart of the city, Kanjumarg is the locality to watch out for when the fence sitters start punching the sack! It boasts of a prime location that gives easy access to all forms of transport, even the port, though many would not need it. But with industries in place, your property could very well be the golden fruit for some investor in the future making any investment in this region worth its weight in gold or even more!

Wadala
This area requires no introduction to Mumbaites or otherwise! Located bang in the center of the city, it attracts investors and home buyers like none other. The presence of educational institutions makes it a lucrative deal for families. One can also think of the prospect of renting out the place to the student community or to working professionals in the area. The inflation in land cost is also always on the higher side being the center of the city. Prices start at 19k and can go as far as 22k depending on the New projects in Mumbai and its amenities.

Bandra
Bandra does not need an explanation as to why it should be your investment. However, the eternal traffic jams and messy congestion during the monsoon might put off many! Appreciation can be however at the highest in all of MMR at over 100% perennially. Good luck finding Mumbai apartments though!

Approved Policy Parameters for Plots Regularization in Municipal Areas – Chandigarh

Guest blog by Daniel

Good time for the people who are living in the municipal areas that are lack in civic amenities and better infrastructure in Chandigarh. The Government had taken a proactive initiative by approving the policy parameters for regularization of plots in the municipal areas. This order will change the lifestyle of people have been living over there, great movement by the Government.

Followed by the policy parameters approved, one of the spokesman of the Urban Local Bodies Department said that all Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners , Commissioners of Municipal Corporations, all Secretaries of Municipal Committees and Executive Officers of Municipal Councils have been asked to follow the parameters. He also added all plots or buildings are not eligible for regularization, as per the approval policy parameters the extent and boundary of the declared area under the act would be demarcated on the ground would be eligible for regularization. In this policy parts for the area declared are also situated within the restricted region along the national highways, proposed roads and state highways would not be eligible for regularization.

Worried part comes here, every residential plots owner should pay regularization fee at the rate of Rs. 250, 200 and 150 per square meter for areas falls in the limits of Municipal Corporations, Municipal Committees and Municipal Councils respectively. This has to be paid within six months of the notification. This policy is not only for the residential plots which falling within the limits, the policy should also applies for plots that were already constructed, got electricity supply, watery supply and sewerage connections. All these supplies and connections would be released only after the payment of the regularization fee is paid, in addition to this payment development charges and any other fee or tax are also applicable.

About the Author: Daniel, writes articles on online marketing, investment on real estate market, lifestyle and travelogue. If you are planning to invest in Indian real estate market invest on Apartments in Navi Mumbai and Apartments in Whitefield.