HYDERABAD:Against the backdrop of a high intensity earthquake wreaking havoc in Nepal and its tremors touching even coastal Andhra, the issue of locating the new capital city in between Vijayawada and Guntur has once again become a debating point.
Since the new capital region comes under Zone-III (moderate seismic zone), which has witnessed tremors four times in the recent past, including the mild quake on Saturday, the AP government which has grandiose plans to build skyscrapers in the core capital might be forced to reconsider its decision.
According to the seismic micro-zonation study of the Vijayawada region conducted by the Geological Survey of India (GSI), potential earthquakes could result from four neo-tectonic faults located within a range of 150 km from Vijayawada, which is already prone to frequent floods.
Hence, scientists say that as the region is a seismically active zone, it is not wise to construct high-rise buildings in the new capital region.
A recent report prepared by the GSI says the low fundamental frequency of ground motion occupies the soft sediment areas where buildings of three or more storeys are not suitable in many places in Krishna and Guntur districts along the Krishna river bank.