IIA Chapter Marks 10th Foundation Day Virtually Amidst Himachal Pradesh Disasters”

IIA Himachal Pradesh Chapter Observes 10th Foundation Day Virtually Amidst State’s Adversities

The Indian Institute of Architects (IIA) Himachal Pradesh Chapter refrained from celebrating its 10th foundation day on August 24, 2023, due to the series of disasters affecting the state. Instead, architects from across Himachal Pradesh gathered online to pay their respects, offering prayers for the departed souls and strength for those enduring losses. Chairman Ar Nand Lal Chandel expressed condolences for the lives, infrastructure, and property lost in the cloudbursts, flash floods, landslides, and rockfalls.

To address the challenges, the IIA HP Chapter established a Technical Committee led by Ar. Rajiv Sharma, Chief Architect of HPPWD Shimla. This committee’s goal is to investigate the causes of these disasters and propose actions to mitigate future risks. Their report will focus on sustainable development in various regions of the state, along with the role of architects in planned urban growth.

Presently, there are 788 qualified architects registered with the Council of Architecture India in Himachal Pradesh. The IIA HP Chapter urges the state government to involve these professionals in developmental processes, starting from site selection to construction commissioning, similar to practices in other states like Rajasthan, Delhi, and Haryana.

The IIA HP Chapter intends to submit this technical report to the Chief Minister and relevant authorities, aiming to prevent such devastations in the future. Additionally, the chapter’s members committed to contributing to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, hoping for Himachal Pradesh to recover and flourish once more.