A 4.4 magnitude earthquake struck Delhi-NCR on Thursday morning at 9:06 AM, with the epicenter located in Haryana’s Jhajjar district. While no immediate damage was reported, the tremor has reignited concerns about the capital’s structural vulnerabilities and the pressing need for earthquake-resilient construction practices.
Urban planners, developers, and engineers are increasingly alarmed about the safety of Delhi’s built environment, especially as the city continues to expand both vertically and horizontally in a seismically active zone.
High-Risk Zone, Low Preparedness
Delhi falls under Seismic Zone IV as per India’s seismic zoning map indicating a relatively high probability of moderate to severe earthquakes. Historical records show the city has experienced multiple significant seismic events, including tremors originating from the Uttarakhand and Himachal regions.
The city’s location near the boundary of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates makes it particularly vulnerable. The constant northward movement of the Indian plate builds up stress along fault lines such as the Delhi-Hardwar Ridge and the Delhi-Moradabad Fault. When this stress is released, it often results in sudden ground shaking, typically without warning.
Delhi’s topography further complicates matters. Large portions of the city, including the Yamuna floodplains, are situated on loosely compacted alluvial soil. These soils can amplify seismic waves, increasing the likelihood of structural damage during an earthquake.
Buildings at Risk
The biggest concern, according to structural experts and developers, is that a large number of buildings in Delhi may not be designed to withstand even moderate seismic activity.
Although building codes issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards (such as IS 1893 and IS 4326) are in place, enforcement remains patchy. Unauthorised constructions, especially in fast-growing urban peripheries often bypass these codes altogether.
Even authorised structures are not always compliant. A 2017 Delhi High Court observation flagged widespread violations of the National Building Code, exposing structural vulnerabilities across many residential and commercial buildings.
A LocalCircles survey found that only 14% of Delhi residents were confident in the earthquake resistance of their buildings. Alarmingly, 87% reported that no seismic safety audit had ever been conducted by their local authorities or residential associations.
Liquefaction: A Hidden Threat
Beyond compliance, the city’s soil composition presents another hidden danger. A 2023 study by the National Centre for Seismology found that nearly 75% of the NCR sits atop water-saturated alluvial soils. These soils are prone to liquefaction — a phenomenon in which the ground behaves like a liquid during intense shaking.
This can severely compromise foundations, leading to partial or total building collapse. The risk is particularly high in areas like East Delhi and the floodplain zones, where many high-rise structures have been developed.
Retrofitting: An Urgent but Overlooked Solution
Experts widely agree that seismic retrofitting of older and vulnerable buildings is one of the most effective ways to mitigate earthquake damage. Techniques such as column jacketing, shear wall addition, and foundation strengthening can dramatically improve structural integrity.
Although the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) released retrofitting guidelines in 2014, actual implementation has been limited — hampered by lack of awareness, high costs, and weak municipal enforcement.
Real estate developers are increasingly calling for retrofitting to be prioritised, alongside new construction. Many are urging the government to introduce financial incentives or policy frameworks to support retrofitting efforts, especially in older housing societies and commercial zones.
What Developers Say Needs to Happen Next
Thursday’s earthquake, though not destructive, serves as a wake-up call. Developers and urban experts are advocating for a comprehensive and urgent review of construction practices across the NCR. They recommend a five-pronged strategy:
- Strict enforcement of seismic building codes in all new developments
- Mandatory structural audits for aging buildings and high-rises
- Public-private partnerships to run awareness drives on retrofitting and seismic readiness
- Detailed soil investigations for all new real estate projects, especially in soft-soil areas
- Government-backed incentives like tax rebates or subsidised loans for retrofitting
With the NCR’s real estate market expanding rapidly, stakeholders warn that safety must not be sacrificed in the rush to build.
A Test Delhi Can’t Afford to Fail
Delhi’s earthquake risk is no longer a distant threat — it’s a well-documented reality. As the city grows taller and denser, the cost of ignoring seismic safety becomes dangerously high. The July 10 tremor is a wake-up call — not just about the fault lines underground, but the vulnerabilities rising above. Experts agree: it’s not if, but when a bigger quake will hit. Preparedness is the only shield between disruption and disaster. The time to act is now.
