100 Smart and Green Railway Stations to Accompany 100 Smart Cities
The Green Building Congress 2016 recently concluded in Mumbai and was organised with theme of Sustainable Built Environment for All on the line of the Smart Cities mission. Among other delegates, the Congress was attended by the Hon’ble Union Minister for Railways Mr. Suresh Prabhu. The Minister made a significant announcement during the Green Building Summit by informing all delegates that, “All the upcoming 100 smart cities would also have smart and green stations.”
The Railway Minister Shri Suresh Prabhu also highlighted the activities and initiatives of Indian Railways, aimed at conserving resources. Restoration of water bodies, energy management, use of LED lights, promoting green toilets, planting of trees along the tracks are some of green initiatives taken up by the Railway Ministry, as informed by Shri Suresh Prabhu.
The Railway Minister also called on the need and importance of designing creative and innovative buildings which will conserve natural resources. He therefore highlighted that the green building movement should become a mass movement and every building should be a green building.
Ar Tai Lee Siang, Chair, World Green Building Council also shared his thoughts on the occasion. He noted that, “India is in the forefront of global Green Building movement and I appreciate IGBC’s contribution. This is the result of Government-industry and people’s partnership. The need of the hour is to work towards promoting sustainable development across the globe.”
Dr. Prem C Jain, Chairman, Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) informed the delegates that over 3,800 green building projects are currently registered with IGBC, amounting to over 4.45 billion sq.ft of green building footprint. Today, India stands at the second position in the world in terms of largest registered green building footprint. He also echoed that IGBC’s vision is to facilitate 10 billion sq.ft of green building footprint by 2022.