The Rajkot Municipal Corporation’s (RMC) housing scheme, ‘Smart Ghar’, proposed using green technology design, has received ‘Indo-Swiss Building Energy Efficiency Project’ certification.
The project is being implemented under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna and with the support of Swiss Development Corporation (SDC) and Building Energy Efficiency Project (BEEP). Union minister for power, coal and new and renewable energy Piyush Goel awarded the certification to municipal commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani at the three-day international conference on ‘Energy Efficient Building Design: Experience and Way Forward’ in New Delhi.
“Under Smart Ghar housing project, RMC is building 1,176 housing units using green technology design. We will incorporate suggestions for green buildings in our public housing schemes which will improve shading and ventilation for better thermal management and a slight change in the orientation of the building. While the former will be achieved by installing externally shaded and partially glazed casement windows, the latter will be made possible by applying a system of fins and shafts connected to each dwelling unit. Additionally, cavity walls over western facade of the site layout will ensure cutting down of heat gain from harsh evening sun,” Pani said.
“We are also trying to tie up with BEE to supply subsidized fixtures for economically weaker section of society. To impa-rt greater push towards energy efficiency, buildings will connect all common services like, street lights, lifts, water pumps and other common utilities with solar power,” he said.
