Lok Sabha Question No. 6233 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-04-02
Subject: Revision in NBC, 2016 for Himalayan Region
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Anurag Singh Thakur

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6233

TO BE ANSWERED ON APRIL 02, 2026

## REVISION IN NBC, 2016 FOR HIMALAYAN REGION

NO. 6233.  SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR:

Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  formulated  region-specific  revisions  to  the National Building Code (NBC) 2016 and Model Building Bye-Laws to address slope instability and high seismic sensitivity (Zones IV and V) in Himalayan States, if so, the details thereof and if not, the details of the current norms;
- (b) the details of the standards prescribed for promoting lightweight, indigenous, earthquake-resistant materials such as wood and bamboo over heavy reinforced concrete in these ecologically fragile zones;
- (c) whether the Government has commissioned 'carrying capacity' studies for major Himalayan hill towns to regulate building density and mitigate land subsidence risks and if so, the findings thereof;
- (d) the details of the Central financial assistance or technical support provided to  States  for  retrofitting  'lifeline  buildings'  and  critical  infrastructure  to ensure disaster resilience; and
- (e) the steps taken to integrate these norms with climate change adaptation strategies for enhanced sustainability in the Himalayan region?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

## (SHRI TOKHAN SAHU)

- (a):    The National Building Code of India (NBC) 2016 and the Model Building Bye-Laws (MBBL), 2016, issued by the Government of India, are advisory in nature and their implementation depends upon the state/local authorities as per their Act/Bye-laws/Regulations. However, the NBC provides seismic zones and associated parameters to address the vulnerabilities in various regions in India. A list of Indian Standards relating to landslide control in
- hilly areas and mitigation is enclosed at Annexure.
- (b): Section 3A 'Timber' of Part 6 'Structural Design' of NBC 2016 covers the  general  principles  involved  in  the  design  of  structural  timber  in buildings, including elements of structures connected together by fasteners/fastening techniques. Further, Section 3B 'Bamboo' of the Part 6 covers the general principles involved in the design of structural bamboo in buildings with regard to mechanical resistance and durability of structures. Design  of  both  bamboo  and  bamboo-based  panels  joined  together  with adhesives or mechanical fasteners are covered in this section. Further, the MBBL 2016 at clause nos. 6.4 and 10.2.6 have recommended use of local building construction and sustainability in the constructed buildings.

(c) to (e): NDMA has undertaken a pilot project titled 'Improving Earthquake Resiliency of Masonry Lifeline Structures and Upcoming Constructions' in the States of Tripura, Uttarakhand, and North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC). Rs. 3.03 Cr have been allocated to each of these States. The project includes retrofitting of selected masonry lifeline buildings, construction of Technology  Demonstration  Units,  and  capacity  building  of  engineers, masons, bar-benders, and carpenters. Subsequently, with savings from the project,  the  scope  was  extended  to  include  retrofitting  of  critical  and government buildings in Himachal Pradesh and Nagaland.

*****

ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) OF THE LOK SABHA QUESTION NO. 6233 FOR ANSWER ON 02.04.2026 REGARDING REVISION IN NBC, 2016 FOR HIMALAYAN REGION ASKED BY SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR

## LIST OF INDIAN STANDARDS FORMULATED UNDER THE HILL AREA DEVELOPMENT ENGINEERING, CED 46

|   SI No. | IS Number/ DOC Number   | Title                                                                                                          |
|----------|-------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|        1 | IS 14458 (Part 1):1998  | Retaining wall for hill area -Guidelines: Part 1 Selection of type of wall                                     |
|        2 | IS 14458 (Part 2):1997  | Retaining wall for hill area - Guidelines: Part 2 Design of retaining/breast walls                             |
|        3 | IS 14458 (Part 3):1998  | Retaining wall for hill area -Guidelines: Part 3 Construction of dry stone walls                               |
|        4 | IS 14458 (Part 4):2018  | Retaining wall for hill area - Guidelines: Part 4 Construction of banded dry stone masonry walls               |
|        5 | IS 14458 (Part 5):2018  | Retaining wall for hill area - Guidelines: Part 5 Construction of cement stone masonry walls                   |
|        6 | IS 14458 (Part 6):2020  | Retaining wall for hill area - Guidelines: Part 6 Construction of gabion walls                                 |
|        7 | IS 14458 (Part 7):2022  | Retaining wall for hill area - Guidelines Part 7 Construction of peripheral reinforced gabion walls            |
|        8 | IS 14458 (Part 8):2025  | Retaining wall for hill area - Guidelines Part 8 Design of reinforced cement concrete (RCC) retaining walls    |
|        9 | IS 14458 (Part 9):2025  | Retaining wall for hill areas - Guidelines: Part 9 Construction of reinforced cement concrete (RCC) crib walls |
|       10 | IS 14496 (Part 1):2020  | Preparation of landslide hazard zonation maps in mountainous terrains -Guidelines: Part 1 Meso - zonation      |
|       11 | IS 14496 (Part 2):1998  | Preparation of landslide hazard zonation maps in mountainous terrains -Guidelines: Part 2 Macro - zonation     |
|       12 | IS 14680:2024           | Landslide control measures -Guidelines (first revision)                                                        |
|       13 | IS 14804:2000           | Siting design and selection of materials for residential buildings in hilly areas -Guidelines                  |
|       14 | IS 14961:2024           | Surface water management in hilly areas (including rainwater harvesting) - Guidelines (first revision)         |
|       15 | IS 17162:2020           | Preparation of landslide risk assessment maps in mountainous terrains -Guidelines                              |
|       16 | IS 17163:2020           | Site specific investigation and stability analysis of landslides - Guidelines                                  |
|       17 | IS 18736:2024           | Micropiles for slope stabilization for mitigation of landslides - Guidelines                                   |