Norms relaxed for green units

The GHMC will allow those constructing green buildings an additional floor and give some concessions in a bid to promote green buildings in the city.

The GHMC has also decided to strictly implement Energy Conservation Building Code norms on the back of increasing energy demand, rapid urbanisation and rising pollution levels.

Without ECBC compliance, no building would be given permission, the GHMC has stated.

The code is applicable to commercial and non-residential buildings that have a plot area of more than 1,000 square metres or a built-up area of more than 2,000 square metres.

The code is also mandatory for multiplexes, hospitals, hotels and convention centres even if their builtup area is less than 2,000 sq.m.

It does not apply to factories, individual homes and multi-family residential buildings.

The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation made ECBC mandatory for commercial and non-residential buildings in January and empanelled 35 energy auditors as third party assessors.

However, it has received a lukewarm response. A senior GHMC official said the corporation had decided to allow an additional floor for all layouts of 1,000 sq. m. or a built-up area of more than 2,000 sq. m.

He said the GHMC would give 10 to 20 per cent discount on development charges, and was awaiting approval from the government.