NED University awarded for constructing earthquake-proof houses in Balochistan

NED University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Sarosh Hashmat Lodhi received an award by the Asian Civil Engineering Coordination Council (ACECC) in Japan on April 18 for the design and construction of earthquake-resistant houses in Balochistan.

Dr Lodhi was recognised for of his humanitarian services in Balochistan’s Awaran district.

The idea was proposed to the university by the government of Balochistan. Due to the lack of resources in Balochistan, many houses were made from dirt, which suited the local construction method.

“People build their own houses in Balochistan, as there aren’t that many contractors available in the area,” Dr Lodhi said on SAMAA TV’s morning show Naya Din on Friday.

The university came up with a simple method to test their housing model. “We used a 10 x 10 cable to test the structure, which could withstand any earthquake stimulation,” he said.

Once the model was approved and could withstand maximum stimulation, the plan was executed.

Students of the university helped with the project. They made posters of the construction process and trained people in Awaran. “Over 4,000 people have been trained to build their own houses,” Dr Lodhi said.

The cost of a two-bedroom earthquake-resistant house is Rs250,000. The financing for the project was provided by the government and 15,000 houses have been built so far.

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