Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada), the pioneer of low-cost housing, will for the first time build eco-friendly homes.
The authority has started work to ensure that majority of the next batch of 4,941 low-cost homes, which will be sold at their lottery next year,
are environment friendly and consume minimal natural resources. The Mhada will call these constructions ‘Green Buildings’.
The buildings will have solar panels, water and sewage recycling plants and several energy saving devices. “We are undertaking many such initiatives in our projects,” said Satish Bhide, chief officer, Mhada (Mumbai Board).
Due to the massive pollution caused during construction and also the additional burden caused by new buildings on water and energy, there has been in recent times an emphasis on adopting ‘green building’ norms.
Apart from reducing air pollution, these eco-friendly buildings will also help save water and electricity, which is in short supply today.
According to V Subramanian, managing director, Saint Gobain Gyproc India Limited — a company that specialises in supplying products used for constructing green buildings — it is a good move by Mhada.
“It is a matter of time before such norms become compulsory. But, it is good that they are moving ahead voluntarily,” said Subramanian. “It only shows the concern for environment.”
Amarjit Singh Manhas, chairman, Mhada (Mumbai Board), said, “The most positive factor of such buildings is that it increases the productivity of the residents.”
He added that the authority is also taking all precautions to ensure that the cost of maintaining all the power saving devices does not burden the residents later.