Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) has decided to sanction
additional 0.25 Floor Area Ratio (FAR) as an incentive to those who are
willing to implement Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC).

The
issue of energy consumption was discussed at the regional dialogue on
sustainable buildings, organised by the Centre for Science and
Environment (CSE) in collaboration with Bhubaneswar Development
Authority (BDA).

CSE Executive Director Anumita Roychowdhury said
Odisha was the first State to notify ECBC in 2011. BDA has incorporated a
few of the important provisions from ECBC in its building regulations
and will begin implementation in a month’s time.

BDA Town and
Planning member Pitobasa Sahoo said use of solar powered water heating
system and roof top heating mechanism has been mandated for smaller and
commercial buildings respectively. The Orissa Energy Conservation
Building Code (OECBC), however, is not binding on residential buildings.

Roychowdhury
said even the home appliances used in the buildings have to be energy
efficient. Only then they can truly reduce energy consumption. About 40
per cent of the total electricity is consumed by buildings only.

Executive
Engineer of Energy Department Pyari Mohan Mishra said energy audits
will be conducted in the commercial spaces from time to time.

The
environmental performance index (EPI) will be computed based on the
local climatic conditions of the State. Based on the EPI of the
buildings, they will have to reduce their energy consumption.

BMC
Commissioner Sanjib Mishra said the public information about technology
and raw material required for green buildings should be easily
available.

The durability of the materials and their certification
by an authorised body should also be available in public domain, he
added.