Overview
- The National Centre for Seismology released the study at a national workshop on Wednesday and reported that pockets in eastern Bhubaneswar can produce surface peak ground accelerations higher than national design values.
- Field work covered the 420 sq km development plan area with measurements at 1,650 locations, boreholes to 30 metres and some deeper probes, and more than 1,200 soil samples analysed to map local hazard contrasts.
- The study finds soft alluvial soils and deep engineering bedrock in the Kuakhai and Daya corridors can amplify shaking by as much as three times, producing estimated surface PGA of about 0.14–0.17 g and up to 0.20–0.27 g for rare strong events versus code reference values of roughly 0.08 g and 0.16 g.
- NCS identified specific vulnerable neighbourhoods including Chakeisiani, Pahala, Old Town, Uttara and Jagamara and warned that resonance between ground frequencies and building heights could raise risk for high-rise structures and bridges.
- Odisha is mapped under low to moderate seismic zones by BIS but the study shows local soil effects matter; NCS frames the findings as a basis for stronger engineering, targeted planning and continued seismic monitoring rather than cause for panic.