Noida leads NCR in green building score: Survey
NOIDA: Showing the way to its neighbours, Noida has the maximum number of green buildings in NCR, occupying an impressive 7,64,513 square metre area. Gurgaon and Faridabad are way behind with green projects on just 5,80,962 sqm and 49,604 sqm area, respectively.
The survey by the Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA), the national rating system for green buildings in India, has given the much-needed thrust to the green initiative of the Noida Authority which recently announced an additional 5% floor area ratio (FAR) to builders of green projects in the city. Nearly 60% of all ongoing projects in Noida are green.
Talking to TOI, Rama Raman, chairman of Noida, Greater Noida and Yamuna Expressway authorities, said, “Nearly 60% of all ongoing projects in the region are based on the green concept. They not only promote sustainable development but also offer smart living. We give an additional 5% FAR to green developers in the region.” More and more developers are now coming up with green group housing, commercial and IT projects, he added
With an increasing number of developers showing interest in green buildings in Noida, the Authority has roped in a separate agency for evaluating and approving design systems of upcoming green projects in the city. At present only buildings certified by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), GRIHA and Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) are considered to be green.
“Both government and the people have become sensitive towards sustainable development. The Noida and Greater Noida authorities are taking steps to encourage the green building concept. It’s said that a building has a life of 50 years and a city around 500 years, so the way we develop will affect the resources available. Energy efficient and sustainable buildings will have much lesser impact on our ecological and natural resources,” said P Sahel, vice-chairman, Lotus Greens. “Increasing number of builders are now buildings green projects in Noida and the authority is doing all that’s possible to push the green initiative,” said Noida Authority’s chief town planner V K Saxena.
Dr Prem C Jain, chairman, IGBC, said, “India’s growth has to be planned on green and sustainability principles. We are second in the world in terms of green footprint.”
“Noida has a great potential in developing itself as a green city. We have to be committed to energy-efficient applications, renewable energy, rainwater harvesting and water recycling to achieve this,” said R K Panpalia, MD, Wave Group.
Source- TNN