Green-norm diktat for new city buildings

Starting April 1, only environment-friendly building projects - those that recycle water, use solar energy and use eco-friendly construction material - will get the go-ahead.

Starting April 1, only environment-friendly building projects - those that recycle water, use solar energy and use eco-friendly construction material - will get the go-ahead.

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“We will introduce legal provisions from April 1 for stricter adherence to eco-friendly projects,” Chief Minister Ashok Chavan said at an eco-housing meet organised by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Develop-ment Authority on Tuesday.

“We will be changing the Development Control regulations and adding the new parameters while giving building clearances,” said T.C. Benjamin, principal secretary, urban development department.

The diktat holds for commercial and residential projects.

Eco-housing involves following construction procedures that do minimal damage to the soil, use eco-friendly materials, have energy-saving lighting, solar water-heating systems, rain harvesting to recycle water and waste management systems.

The government also hopes to promote eco-housing in existing buildings by offering sops. Chavan said buildings that adhere to these norms and get ‘Zero Net Certificates’ would get extra FSI.

“We are thinking of an incentive where buildings that comply with these norms get property tax or development charges rebate,” Benjamin said.