MNCs at New Town and Sector V, including IT parks, have started implementing green norms to retain their collaborations with foreign companies.
According to the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), meeting global green standards by reducing carbon footprint and using renewable energy has become mandatory for Indian MNCs to strike deals with their foreign counterparts.
IGBC has collaborated with WBHIDCO to spread awareness on making commercial establishments like offices, malls, hotels, banks, IT parks, financial institutions, healthcare facilities and academic campuses in New Town ‘green’.
WBHIDCO MD Sanjay Bansal appreciated IGBC’s initiative in greening the city. Most buildings in New Town will be carbon neutral in 5 to 10 yaers as solar panels will be installed, he said.
Sushil Mohta, chairman of Merlin Group and president of Credai West Bengal, said: “Kolkata is leading the green building segment and we are witnessing the craze for green in commercial segment as well. About 70% of the buildings in New Town and Sector V are green.”
Debashis Sen, former chairman of NKDA and former MD of WBHIDCO, said, “As per new norms, MNCs will be thrown out of international business front if they don’t adhere to green norms and follow carbon benchmarking. To meet international green standards, MNCs are adopting green measures.”
Risabh Kasliwal, MD of Kamal Cogent Energy, said, “The tendency to get green certification is rising in both residential and non-residential segments in Kolkata.”