Govt's green initiative bearing fruit: CM

Chief Minister K Rosaiah on Saturday said that the State has taken several initiatives for encouraging Green Buildings, in line with the Green Building Development in the country.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Inaugurating the Property Show-2010 at Hitex Exhibition Centre, Mr Rosaiah reminded that his government had taken several initiatives to boost Green Building Development by keeping a sustained momentum going despite the overall weakening macroeconomic environment.

He said that the government has pushed programmes like the one lakh plantation in one day, avenue plantation, conservation of lakes, greening of waste lands, rainwater harvesting system and use of Renewable Energy.

Mr Rosaiah reminded that the state was the first in the country to introduce incentives for green buildings in the building regulations, which include rebate of 10 per cent in property tax on use of solar heating and lighting system; rebate of 10 per cent in property tax on recycling of waste water and rain harvesting, he said, adding that Hyderabad has several inherent strengths for investors to set up their operations.

The Chief Minister congratulated the team of APREDA for organizing the event. He said that a green building is one which uses less water, optimizes energy efficiency, conserves natural resources, generates less waste and provides healthier spaces for occupants, as compared to a conventional building. Green Home can have tremendous benefits and the immediate and most tangible benefit was reduction in water and operating energy costs right from day one, during the entire life cycle of the building and intangible benefits of enhanced air quality, excellent day lighting, health and well being of  the occupants and conservation of national resources, he added.

Mr Rosaiah said that the first Green Building in the country was built in Hyderabad by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) with complete Green Building concepts of international standard at Madhapur which is known as CII-Sohrabji  Green Business Centre. The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) Annexe building built in 2007 was the first government Green Building in the State and Hyderabad was one of the biggest beneficiaries under the scheme JnNURM. 

The Chief Minister said that the State government had invested about Rs 4,000 crore for water and underground sewerage treatment and storm water drainage system in the State capital city and was planning to build about 80,000 affordable housing units at a cost of Rs 1,600 crore in the first phase. The work on the 158-km Outer Ring Road being laid at a cost of Rs 6,700 crore was under progress, he said, adding that a comprehensive plan was being prepared to ease vehicular traffic in the city. The people of the capital city are about to realize their long-cherished dream of travelling by Metro Rail, he added. Apart from mitigating traffic problems in the city, the Metro Rail would provide employment on a large scale, he added.

As regards water needs of the city, it was planned to tap water from the River Godavari at an estimated cost of Rs 3,000 crore to meet the requirement for the next 50 years, he pointed out.

He also said that as far as power sector was concerned, the State will witness a phenomenal amount of addition to the installed capacity of 8,127 MW and exuded confidence that the State would soon become an energy surplus State. "Keeping in view of future demand, we have taken up massive capacity addition program of 16,865 MW during XI and XII plans consisting of 11 Thermal, five Hydel,  two gas and one Nuclear power projects", he said.

Mr Rosaiah said that steps were being taken to tap the natural gas available abundantly in the Krishna-Godavari basin for meeting the requirements of domestic as well as industrial sectors and have requested the Regulatory Board to expedite construction of distribution centers in Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Kakinada and Rajahmundry regions.  The day is not far off when we will turn on piped gas in our homes, he said, adding that the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Outer Ring Road and PVR Expressway have boosted the investment potential in and around Hyderabad.

The Chief Minister also said that the economy of the State was doing well. "For the first six months of the current financial year, tax revenues recorded an increase of 25 per cent compared to corresponding period last year. With a very good rainfall, we are expecting a bumper crop production of 214 lakh tonnes, which would be all-time high in the State's history.

Appealing to all prospective investors to come forward and invest in the State, the Chief Minister assured that his government would extend all possible assistance to them in order to propel the State's Economy on a strong growth path.

The "APREDA Property Show" and the "Conference on Green Buildings, Townships and Destination Hyderabad" was organized by Andhra Pradesh Real Estate Developers' Association (APREDA) and National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO) in association with GRIHA and Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. Some 100 Real Estate Developers and Builders showcasing about 200 reality projects in the Metro area apart from prominent brands of building materials participated in the show. .

Since its inception in 1996, APREDA has closely worked with the State government in shaping Building Bye-laws, Layout Regulations, Evolving and Implementing Master Plans and so on.