Vijayawada: The surroundings of Vijayawada and around 150 km radius, particularly several areas in the city, are under earthquake zone.

Survey by the Geological Survey of India also revealed the facts but the local administration has not taken any precautionary steps.

The areas have faced 159 earthquakes so far. And some more earthquakes might occur in the area, the survey confirmed.

Actually, the city has four types of soil with black cotton soil making up 58 per cent, sandy clay loamy 23 per cent, red loamy soil 17 per cent and sandy soil 2 per cent. Nearly 22 areas in the city are identified as earthquakes prone.

The IIIT students of Hyderabad also conducted the survey on chances of earthquake in Vijayawada and found sensitive areas.

As per the studies, several areas in the city like Gunadala, Mogulraja-puram, Bundar Road up to Kanuru, Poranki, Bhavanipuram and Kondapalli areas are in the earthquake zone. The studies also said that high-rise buildings are not suitable for the city.

In this backdrop, the implementation of a building code is important. But the building code is unfortunately not being implemented. Local bodies are giving the permission for various constructions in the city. The special designs, including earthquake proof material, is important says a VMC official. But most of them are not using the material as per norms, he added.

Several apartments were constructed without following any such guidelines, he said. Bezwada Builders Association president Gadde Rajalingam said that several prominent construction companies are now following the guidelines after the Gujarat earthquake. He said the structures before the Gujarat earthquake incident were not constructed according the guidelines.