Sewage treatment plants, would be of advanced technology that would help to recycle water that can be used to wash carsConsidering the manifold infrastructural issues that Mumbai faces, the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) plans to promote eco-housing and make it compulsory for new constructions to adopt it. “The equation is straight — development is a burden on the ecology in terms of more load on the power, water and sewerage systems. These resources are depleting and have to be handled carefully,” says Manu Srivastava, additional commissioner, MCGM.The Standing Committee of the MCGM has finally sanctioned this proposal and wants builders to follow this rule, and those doing so will be given incentives as well, assures Srivastava. “The incentives would be give on the basis of how many parameters they follow. The more they follow, the better incentives they will get, which will mainly translate as reduction of property tax. The project is likely to commence in next six months,” he says.
According to him, primarily eco housing would be done on six parameters. “These parameters will be worked in such a manner that it will help to preserve resources and use it more judiciously,” he claims. Firstly, promotion of water harvesting and ensuring new constructions have facilities for the same. Secondly, preservation power in terms of using solar power and promoting the use of solar equipments for cooking. Thirdly, appropriate architectural designs so as to promote passive lighting which will lead to more ventilation and less suffocation. “Hence, the usage of power would be less and would lead to saving,” explains Srivastava.
Fourthly, the issue of solid waste management will be tackled and the use of compost will be encouraged for used in gardens. Sewage treatment plants, he says, would be of advanced technology that would help to recycle water that can be used to wash cars and building premises.
To top it all, lots of trees would be planted. “We have invited International Institute of Energy Conservation from the USA, which will help us design the project,” says Srivastava.
Builders have welcomed the move. “People have begun to realise the long time savings from efficient building design and the unsustainability of limitless power supply. Besides, leasing out office spaces in these green buildings also fetch higher rental rates. Today all our commercial building projects are energy efficient structures,” says Abhishek Lodha chairman of Lodha Group, which has constructing an IT park at Kanjurmarg. Corporates like Godrej and Reliance have also entered the fray.