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Green bug yet to bite Chennai buildings

Wednesday, 16 December 2009 10:51
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The New Indian Express 16.12.2009

Green bug yet to bite Chennai buildings

V Gangadharan


CHENNAI: At present, less than one per cent of Chennai’s buildings are green. While a few large corporate offices as well as the upcoming assembly complex have been built on environmentfriendly lines, the trend is yet to catch on mainly because of a perception that constructing green buildings is very expensive.

However, with the Energy Conservation Building Code set to become mandatory in the near future, the city may see an increase in the construction of green buildings soon.

Madhu Kumar Boppana, manager at Vestas India, a renewable energy company, said that while green buildings did cost 15 to 20 per cent more than normal buildings, the benefits they provided make them attractive in the long run.

“We use 100 per cent natural lighting in the day enabling us to cut down on power costs,’’ he said. The building’s sewage water is recycled and used to water lawns. Most of the power requirement is supported through wind energy, clean and sustainable source.

An official with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency said the additional cost in setting up a green building could easily be recovered in five years. “We are training several consultants and architects and this will help eradicate the cost misconception,’’ he said.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 16 December 2009 10:53
 

Sewage stagnation poses health hazard to Maruthi Nagar residents

Wednesday, 16 December 2009 01:41
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The Hindu 16.12.2009

Sewage stagnation poses health hazard to Maruthi Nagar residents

Staff Reporter

The area lacks a proper drainage system, they say

— Photo: P. Goutham

Needs immediate action: The stagnation of sewage on a vacant land at Maruthi Nagar in ward 37, Salem, poses serious threat to people’s health.

SALEM: People in Maruthi Nagar in ward 37 here are facing serious health hazard due to stagnation of sewage on a vacant land in the area.

As the area lacks a proper drainage system, waste water from Maruthi Nagar and a few other residential colonies flows into the vacant land and stagnates.

This has led to wild growth of shrubs on the land, housing snakes and other reptiles.

Mosquito menace

The stench from the waste water is unbearable and the land serves as a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

On rainy days, sewage overflows from the land and enters houses, the people point out.

Mosquito menace has increased to alarming proportions, leaving the people to spend sleepless nights.

The residents have taken the issue to the Salem Corporation officials at several instances.

“We have submitted petitions to the Corporation Commissioner and health officials explaining the gravity of the issue. We have been asking the councillor of this area to take steps for constructing a proper drainage system. But we yet are to receive a reply,” they say.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 16 December 2009 01:43
 

Mayor gets useful tips on new technologies in Copenhagen

Wednesday, 16 December 2009 01:28
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The Hindu 16.12.2009

Mayor gets useful tips on new technologies in Copenhagen

Deepa H Ramakrishnan

— Photo: AP/ Peter Dejong

Green ride: Chennai Mayor M.Subramanian (right) and Mexico City Mayor Marcelo Ebrard leave the Town Hall Square for a bicycle ride in Copenhagen after a session at the UN Climate Change conference on Tuesday.

CHENNAI: Mayor M.Subramanian, currently attending the United Nations Climate Change conference in Copenhagen, may come back with a bagful of ideas for possible implementation in the city.

Speaking to The Hindu over telephone on Tuesday, he said that the different sessions are not only very interesting, but also gave useful insights into new technologies.

“I visited several project sites, including one where bio-gas produced from sewage is being used to run 200 buses there. We also had a chance to visit some filling stations. I have made note of the details of the technology. Perhaps, in future, we could consider something like that for Chennai,” he said.

Mr. Subramanian spoke about a project in Malmo, where 5,000 apartments in a complex were using seawater running through pipes to heat and cool their residences. “They do not use heaters or air conditioners. Instead of conventional power, they use power generated from a windmill.”

He also participated in a bicycle rally for about 35 minutes around Copenhagen with city Mayors from other countries.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 16 December 2009 01:37
 
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