After an earthquake flattened parts of India's Gujarat province, emergency assistance from ADB helped rebuild towns with safer homes and better civic amenities
On 26 January 2001, India's most severe earthquake in a century struck India's Gujarat state. Thousands died and 2 million people lost their homes. Today, several badly damaged towns have been partly reconstructed - with safer homes and better civic amenities.
The painful memories remain, especially as residents have rebuilt their homes on the same land. In Bhachau, for example, where 8,000 people are believed to have died, Bharatpuri Goswami is still coming to terms with losing loved ones as well as his home. "In just 1 day, our lives became a shamble," he says. He and his family lived in a makeshift tent after the earthquake.
Although parts of Bhachau - and other towns like Bhuj, Anjar, and Rapar - still show signs of damage, other aspects of the rebuilt towns, such as wider roads and better water supply facilities, have improved lives for residents. The surrounding villages, too, have benefited from the reconstruction effort in terms of improved roads and electricity supply.
To assist the effort, ADB approved a $350 million Gujarat Emergency Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Project soon after the quake. The project supported the state government in financing housing, rebuilding urban and rural infrastructure, and restoring power supply and livelihoods, especially in the districts of Kutch, Jamnagar, Surendranagar, and Rajkot. To speed up project implementation, ADB set up an Extended Mission in Gandhinagar.
One main challenge of reconstruction was to preserve the culture and ethos of the towns. From the outset, plans were discussed with stakeholders to keep the towns' former characteristics, particularly historical sites. People were consulted on each aspect of the plans, including the location of public amenities, commercial areas, religious buildings, and road alignments protecting historical sites. Perhaps as a result of this approach, there has been no litigation against the town plans, which is unusual for India.
Capacity Building of the People
The project also succeeded in training people on how to incorporate seismic safety features in rebuilding structures and how to get quality construction materials in these remote locations. The state embarked upon a huge capacity building exercise that included sending 750 teams - with local engineering students trained by experts - to educate people on seismic and cyclone safety features. This effort was backed by an extensive campaign through media, street plays, demonstrations using models, and establishing quality-testing laboratories, including mobile audit-testing units to make sure building materials adhered to specified standards.
Nearly 42,000 out of the 172,000 homeowners who received financial aid from the government to rebuild houses are today living in homes with earthquake-resistant features. Numerous nongovernment organizations and local voluntary organizations have been partners in the rebuilding.
Improved Infrastructure
Water supply systems were also improved under the project. Drinking water, which had previously been a once-a-fortnight luxury for the people of Kutch, is now being distributed more regularly under systems carried out by communities in partnership with nongovernment organizations. As a result, women and children who used to trek for several hours every 2 days to fetch drinking water now have more time for income-generating activities and school. Men, too, spend far less time than in the past searching for water for their cattle. Nearly 80% of households have access to piped water supply, compared to 30% before the earthquake. Others draw water from public fountains.
In all, 925 out of the 949 villages in Kutch now have electricity. Some 3,600 kilometers of allweather rural roads were established, linking quake-affected villages to a state or national highway. Increased access to markets has led to industry-type investments, which in turn has generated jobs.
The improved infrastructure, which includes sewerage and sanitation facilities and public buildings as well as potable water and power, has paved the way for more opportunities for economic development.
More Opportunities for Women
Just as importantly, the project facilitated social and economic activities for women, many of whom are artisans, weaving or making handicrafts for sale. As the earthquake left many of these women with little or no assets, the project provided the funds to help restore their enterprises. Such measures helped over 16,030 women in five earthquake-affected districts. As a result, the level of employment among women rose from 54% soon after the earthquake to 93% today. Incomes have also increased, according to most respondents in a benefit and monitoring survey.
Yet out of tragedy has emerged another intangible, yet palpable, force: a binding community spirit, evident in peoples' affection for one another and willingness to help each other out. People have taken opportunities arising out of catastrophe to make a better life.
