PWD to adopt green building concept for constructions

The state government’s public works department (PWD) has adopted the ‘green building’ concept, which is to be implemented in the construction and repair of buildings to prevent environmental damage and curtail power usage. Officials confirmed on Friday that from now on, all the new constructions would follow the concept, by which noted worldwide organisations are to conduct audits of the buildings.

The PWD is mainly entrusted with construction and maintenance of roads, bridges and government buildings.

Officials confirmed that the decision was taken in the backdrop of increasing pressure on the environment and natural resources due to the large-scale building construction going on across the state. “One construction project results in using exponential electricity; it pollutes water and air sources, results in greenhouse gas creation and releases about 50 per cent chlorofluorocarbon. Since the energy demand for large scale construction projects is more than about 50 per cent of the domestic use, many parts of the state face load-shedding,” said a PWD official.

Officials confirmed that they are looking to design structures, which will have minimal environmental damage and will be resource-efficient throughout the life circle of the building. A number of processes for solar power creation, rainwater harvesting and minimal waste creation will help the structure to attain the stature.

Officials have said that all concerned departments would have to adapt while conducting repair work of all large-scale construction projects. At the same time, green buildings will have to clear the audits conducted by renowned worldwide agencies. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), one of the most popular green building certification programmes used worldwide and developed by the non-profit U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and The Indian Green Building Council.