Rajarhat New Town will become green city soon

New Town is fast coming up as a green city with the tag line “Eco City in an Eco Park”. Following the inspiration of Chief Minister Mamata  Banerjee, schemes taken up by the West Bengal Housing and infrastructure Development Corporation (WBHIDCO) which include massive forestation, rainwater harvesting and recycling and waste water recycling, eco friendly transport system will soon turn the area into a green city.

It may be mentioned that West Bengal is the only state in the country where 10 per cent additional FAR is given to green buildings. For New Town to get additional FAR, a notification has been issued which says that to get the tag of green building it must be certified Gold Rated by Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) or 4-Star rated (under Griha rating).

HIDCO is planning to introduce electric bus and car as a part of the public transport system to minimise pollution. As a part of the CSR project from Coal India, it will get e-buses and has already received an e-car which is being tested. A separate pathway for cyclists under public cycle scheme will be constructed and a DPR has been prepared. 

A tender is also being floated to get a firm to do the job. E-rickshaws are also been encouraged. The halogen lights on the streets will be replaced by LED lights in phases. It is bringing out a document for rainwater harvesting and recycling and waste water recycling as a part of its green city drive.