Kolkata: The Bengal government is planning to develop energy efficient towns where buildings would be constructed following certain parameters imposed by the state government thereby reducing the overall consumption of electricity.
This comes at a time when the Centre is trying to introduce Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) for constructing residential buildings in all the states where the real estate developers will have to keep in mind certain parameters while setting up both commercial and residential buildings.
The Mamata Banerjee government may not implement the ECBC code as proposed by the Centre because it is only meant for the buildings whereas the Bengal government is giving emphasis on the development of an entire green town. It may modify the code to suit the regional needs.
It may be mentioned here that the Centre is in the process of preparing ECBC for residential buildings. In case of commercial buildings, the Union Power ministry had already framed certain rules on how the buildings would be constructed keeping in mind the environmental issues.
State Power minister Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay said instead of constructing a particular energy efficient building, the state government is focusing on the development of an entire town in such a manner so that consumption of electricity is minimal.
"Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is keener on developing towns in such a manner so that they are more energy efficient. The Centre is bringing a new policy where a building will be constructed on the basis of certain parameters. But our government is working on the prospect of creating greener cities. Constructing a particular building by following energy efficient building code will hardly contribute to make a city green. Our Chief Minister is interested in developing an entire green city in the true sense of the term," Chattopadhyay said. The Bengal government has already undertaken a two pronged approach to cater to the energy demands of its citizens and also ensured the emission of harmful gasses is low in the state.
The Mamata Banerjee government is promoting greater use of renewable energy in the state mainly through solar use. Efforts are being made by the state Power department to efficiently use the renewable energy through various innovative policies.
"Our government will work towards the development of energy efficient towns instead of constructing a building by implementing the ECBC. A town will be constructed in such a manner where the buildings will not only be eco friendly but other environmental aspects will be kept in mind," Chattopadhyay said.
It was learnt that many other states are yet to decide whether they would implement the ECBC code framed by the Centre while allowing the construction of residential buildings.