After the Union Government, now the state governments, too, are making green buildings the law. Now the Maharashtra State Government has decided to make available incentives in the form of rationalization in property tax /electricity tariff and reduction in State taxes including VAT and Octroi on buildings adhering to green technology norms.

To achieve this, Maharashtra Government proposes to amend the Development Control Rules for the introduction of green building regulations initially in Mumbai Metropolitan City and later in tier II cities of the State. Under the proposed regulations, it will be mandatory for new buildings to use green technologies for recycling dry waste and drainage water, vermin-culture for treatment of wet waste,solar energy and above all rainwater harvesting. The latest move drew an overwhelming response from various quarters including builders because it has come at a time when the City is reeling under acute water shortage and is destined to face power deficit in the near future.

Maharashtra is not the first state to take this desirable step. Such initiatives have already been initiated in several States including Delhi, West Bengal, Karnataka, Kerala and Rajasthan. But in the realty sector, Maharashtra will be the first to put such incentives on its radar in a more regulatory form.

According to reports emanating from the State, the Housing, Urban Development and Environment Department will hold a meeting very shortly to look into the various aspects of green building regulations and the implementation procedures in Mumbai and later in tier II cities. Brihan Mumbai Municipal Corporation through a notification has already asked developers of new buildings to go for rainwater harvesting system. The objective of the proposed green building regulations is to make all efforts to minimize the impact of climate change. At the same time doing so should not affect the Government’s target of affordable housing in Mumbai and other parts of the State.

All said and done, a step like this taken by the governments of these states is one in the right direction.