Last updated:
Due to active faults and tall buildings, Delhi-NCR often faces earthquakes. The HTMD technology used in the Statue of Unity is important for seismic safety in real estate.
Unlike low-rise structures, tall buildings are more flexible and prone to swaying due to wind and earthquake loads.
Written by Lalit Aggarwal:
As Indian cities are evolving vertically, the meaning of security in real estate is changing. In the past, safety primarily meant strong foundations and compliance with basic building codes. Today, safety also means understanding how buildings behave during earthquakes and high winds. This change is especially significant in regions like Delhi-NCR, where large areas fall under seismic zone IV, classified as a high-risk zone.
The danger of earthquake is not limited to some parts of the country. About 59% of India's land area is vulnerable to earthquakes, and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has divided the country into four seismic zones based on the level of risk. This makes seismic safety not just a regional but a national concern. In rapidly growing urban agglomerations like NCR, where population density and height of buildings are increasing rapidly, this risk becomes even more serious.
Delhi-NCR is located close to several active and semi-active fault systems such as the Delhi-Haridwar Ridge, Mahendragarh-Dehradun Fault and Sohna Fault. Last year alone, several earthquakes have been recorded in Gurugram, New Delhi and surrounding areas. Most of these were of moderate magnitude, but they clearly demonstrate that seismic activity in the region occurs frequently and cannot be ignored.
Tall buildings are particularly sensitive to such forces. Unlike low-rise structures, tall buildings are more flexible and prone to swaying due to wind and earthquake loads. One of the biggest risks is structural resonance, which occurs when the frequency of wind or seismic motion matches the building's natural frequency. When this happens, vibrations increase rapidly, causing excessive movement, discomfort for occupants, and greater stress on structural elements. Over time, this can reduce the usable life of the building, even if there is no visible damage.
To manage this challenge, modern engineering now focuses not only on strength but also on controlling speed. One of the most effective technologies used worldwide for this purpose is the High-Performance Tuned Mass Damper (HTMD).
HTMD is an advanced vibration control system installed within a building. It consists of a heavy mass connected through springs and a damping system, which is carefully adjusted according to the natural frequency of the building. When the building shakes due to wind or earthquake, the HTMD moves in the opposite direction. This reverse motion absorbs and dissipates vibration energy, reducing the overall impact of the structure.
The advantage of HTMD technology is that it works quietly and continuously. It does not stop the forces but manages them in a controlled manner. This helps protect the structure, improve occupant comfort, and reduce damage during extreme events.
Globally, such systems are already a standard solution for critical and tall structures. A famous Indian example is the Statue of Unity in Gujarat, one of the tallest statues in the world. Due to its height and exposure to high winds, the structure uses a pendulum-type tuned mass damper to control wind-induced vibrations and improve stability. This shows that vibration control is not limited to buildings only, but is essential for any tall structure exposed to dynamic forces.
Internationally, buildings such as Taipei 101 in Taiwan and Shanghai Tower in China also use tuned mass damping systems to manage wind and earthquake movements. These projects demonstrate that such technology is reliable, proven, and critical to safety in tall structures.
In the Indian real estate sector, use of HTMD has been rare, especially for residential high-rise projects. However, this approach is now evolving. This reflects the growing awareness that seismic safety should be incorporated into structures right from the design stage.
As Indian cities continue to upscale, technologies like HTMLT will play an increasingly important role. In seismic zones, controlling the movement of buildings is as important as strengthening them. The future of real estate security lies in intelligent design choices that respect the forces of nature while protecting people and long-term urban growth.
(The author is co-founder and vice president, Signature Global India. Views are personal.)
Click here to add News18 as your favorite news source on Google.
check jee mains result 2026 link here
February 21, 2026, 15:27 IST
read more