The Indian Express 16.08.2012
‘Cool roofs’ mandatory for all new buildings
Having suffered the worst power blackouts in the city’s history on
two consecutive days last fortnight due to a collapse of the Northern
grid twice, the Delhi government is mulling plans to become more energy
efficient.
In the wake of a recent study by Power Ministry’s Bureau of
Energy Efficiency, which says electricity consumption can be brought
down by 25 per cent with adoption of cool roofs. These roofs can deliver
high solar reflectance, which is the ability to reflect visible
infrared and ultraviolet rays of the sun. This reduces heat transfer to
the building. Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has directed all building
construction and maintenance agencies to implement such roofs in
upcoming private and government buildings.
The Chief Minister’s office has asked the agencies to promote
reflection of light and heat by going for either of the two ways — a
coating with a thick white paint on the roof, or by putting white tiles
on roofs.
Senior government officials said no new application for building
plans which does not have provision for implementing cool roofs will be
passed.
“Completion certificates will be given only after implementing
cool roof on buildings. All agencies, including the three Municipal
corporations, DDA, PWD and NDMC have been issued directions to implement
the same. These agencies will issue further notifications,” a senior
official said.
New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) Chairperson Archna Arora said:
“We will put in cool roofs for all new buildings. Depending on the mode
adopted for cooling the roof and the roof type, this plan can be very
beneficial for a city like Delhi.”
Delhi Power Secretary Shakti Sinha said Delhi could also go in for solar panels on all large roofs.Secretary for the Public Works Department, Nutan Guha Biswas said
notification to this effect would be issued by the government’s Urban
Development Department.“As an implementing agency, we would do the needful as per the notification,” she said.