Like Delhi, Mumbai, Pune and other big cities, Ranchi will also get green buildings now.
Central Institute of Psychiatry Kanke, National Law University (constructed last year), Indian Institute of Management Ranchi, which is under construction, and Central University of Jharkhand, are among the first buildings to have subscribed to the idea. This concept will lead to less energy consumption and will provide more comfort to the occupants.
Consultant of the Association for Development and Research of Sustainable Habitats (ADaRSH) R S Prasad said, “It is extraordinary that Ranchi has shown interest in developing green and eco-friendly habitats. Green and sustainable buildings are required for healthy living in Jharkhand.”
Founded jointly by The Energy and Resources Institute, New Delhi and the Union ministry of new and renewable energy, ADaRSH promotes green building concepts in India through Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA).
“There are over 200 GRIHA registered buildings in India currently,” said Prasad. GRIHA is India’s national ratings system for green buildings.
Central University of Jharkhand (CUJ) has applied for four-star GRIHA ratings. With it the university campus will use minimum energy to power itself; use efficient equipment to meet its lighting, air-conditioning, and other needs, maximize use of renewable sources of energy; use efficient waste and water management practices; and provide comfortable and hygienic indoor working conditions.
CUJ vice-chancellor D K Khating suggests centres of learning must be green. “Eco-friendly environment and green campus will make our students more mentally agile. The polluted environment has a bearing on students’ concentration and overall learning,” said Khating.
Recently, faculty members from GRIHA, Union ministry of new and renewable energy, Central Public Works Department and TERI held a consultation with representatives of various universities here.
The stakeholders presented Bihar Police Academy (BPA), being built by the Bihar Police Building Construction Corporation in Rajgir as model. BPA is the first building in Jharkhand and Bihar that has got registered with GRIHA for five star rating.
A GRIHA official said in the years to come several buildings in Jharkhand will be eco-friendly. In 2009, the committee of secretaries of the Centre had made it mandatory for all central government buildings to follow GRIHA norms and have at least three star ratings. The same is also applied for all public sector undertakings in the country.
“The Central government buildings and PSUs are showing an interest in the process. After they are GRIHA rated, all such buildings will be using less energy but will continue to provide equal comfort,” said the official.
