Parliament Question: National Framework for Structural Safety Audits and Seismic Resilience of Buildings

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 875 TO BE ANSWERED ON JULY 23, 2026 NATIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR STRUCTURAL SAFETY AUDITS AND SEISMIC RESILIENCE OF BUILDINGS NO. 875 SHRI PARSHOTTAMBHAI RUPALA: Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is considering enactment of legislation mandating periodic structural safety audits of high-rise buildings on the lines of statutory frameworks adopted in countries such as the United Kingdom and the Republic of Korea and if so, the details thereof; (b) whether any national mechanism exists to monitor the cumulative long-term impact of seismic activity and ageing on the structural foundation strength of buildings and if so, the details thereof; (c) the measures taken or proposed to mandate periodic post- construction structural inspections for early detection of structural deterioration and prevention of building collapses; and (d) the timeline for framing and enforcing such legislation to detect early structural weakening, enhance public safety and prevent building collapse? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS (SHRI TOKHAN SAHU) (a) to (d): As per 12th Schedule of the Constitution of India, urban planning including building plan approvals and enforcement of building bye-laws, is the function of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs)/ Urban Development Authorities. Government of India supplements the efforts of the States through schematic interventions/ advisories. The …2/--2- Government of India supplements the efforts of States and Union Territories through model regulations, technical standards, guidelines and advisories. The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has published Model Building Bye-laws (MBBL) – 2016 (https://www.mohua.gov.in/static/uploads/2026/07/0e33558a9326c8a89 f945cae00cc3647.pdf ), in which Chapter-6 deals with Provisions for Structural Safety, and lays down guidelines/standards relating to structural safety and seismic resilience of buildings. Further, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Government of India, has formulated various standards relating to earthquake resistant design and construction of buildings and structures, and for seismic evaluation, repair and strengthening of buildings such as IS 1893 (Criteria for Earthquake Resistant Design of Structures), IS 4326:2013 (Earthquake resistant design and construction of buildings – Code of Practice (third revision) and other allied codes for adoption and enforcement by States/UTs and Urban Local Bodies as part of their building regulations. Further, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), has issued the National Disaster Management Guidelines on Management of Earthquakes, which provide guidance on earthquake risk reduction, including measures for safer construction, structural strengthening and retrofitting of buildings, particularly lifeline and critical infrastructure (https://ndma.gov.in/sites/default/files/PDF/Guidelines/earthquakes.pdf). Regulation and enforcement relating to periodic structural and seismic safety audits, building inspection regimes and compliance requirements are within the domain of States/Union Territories (UTs) and ULBs. *****