The city finally has a couple of environment-friendly residential apartments to feel proud of. The premium projects - Astitva by Primarc and MCK groups and Platinum by Godrej Properties - join the elite league of over 250 such projects countrywide, including a slew of projects in the National Capital Region, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad.
Both Astitva located in north Kolkata’s Kankurgachi and Platinum in posh Alipore have received gold certification from the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), the second highest rating after platinum.
In Salt Lake Sector V, IT facility Technopolis by Forum Projects was the first commercial green building in Kolkata. It was followed by several others but developers of residential projects have been reluctant to vie for the tag because not only does it entail additional expenditure, compliance with the norms is difficult.
Announcing the IGBC Green Homes gold pre-certification, Primarc group director Sidharth Pansari said the project would set a new benchmark by introducing responsible luxury living.
While that may appear to be an oxymoron, Pansari felt living in a building that meets high energy and water efficiency standards would make the residents conservation-conscious.
“The entire waste water in the project will be recycled and used in gardening and building maintenance. Only top-of-the-line energy efficient electrical systems will be used as will be water-efficient fixtures including pipes that cost three times the normal plumbing. The project also has an organic waste converter with a capacity of 200 kg per day. There will be electrical charging facility for vehicles,” said Pansari, adding that the project will also provide additional 10 per cent parking for visitors.
While Astitva is the first green project by Primarc, Godrej Properties has several high-end residential projects in the country that have been certified platinum, gold and silver.
“The project meets all major criteria on site selection, material use, energy and water efficiency, waste and water recycling and several more,” said Godrej Properties eastern region head Chetna Sengupta.
The executive said the group would try to implement the green building norms in affordable housing projects to give the idea an impetus.
