IGBC (Indian Green Building Council) today confirmed MARG Swarnabhoomi as the pilot project for platinum rated city in India. This is a unique rating system just getting adopted for cities and MARG Swarnabhoomi is privileged to get the pilot advantage.
The rating system enables the designer to apply green concepts and criteria, so as to reduce environmental impacts and consume less energy, which would in turn reduce the impact on global warming thereby increasing pollution free environment.
This IGBC Green Township rating systems addresses national priorities leading to benefits such as efficient land use, habitat preservation, effective management, efficient use of resource and enhanced quality of life for the occupants. It has been designed to facilitate restoration and preservation of the natural environment by encouraging strategies that aid interface between the built environment and natural environment. This approach will not only enhance the fabric of the planned development but also provide environments conductive for living and working.
One of the biggest challenging problems facing our cities today is to meet the ever-rising demand for power, water supply and waste management. Efficient and effective use of resources is thus vital in augmenting the existing infrastructure. The IGBC Green townships rating system promotes the creation of diverse, connected, affordable, safe and healthy communities that enhance social interaction and ownership by espousing need of more open and Green spaces.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. GRK Reddy, Chairman & Managing Director, MARG Group said, “This is indeed a proud moment for us and this IGBC recognition reiterates our belief in sustainable eco-systems and ‘New Urbanism’ which involves shifting design focus from the car-centric development to a concentrated pedestrian and transit-centric, walkable, mixed-use community. To create a vibrant habitat, the New Urbanism principles need to be supported by an engine of growth. MARG has already embarked on this path in providing a balanced environment to live, learn and work. MARG Swarnabhoomi, a new paradigm city being created between Pondicherry and Chennai, is our first step in creating the new urban centres of tomorrow.”
“It is indeed a welcoming initiative by MARG Limited to register their project MARG Swarnabhoomi for Pilot IGBC Green Township Platinum Rating. With consistent commitment towards implementing Green measures and at the same time creating a liveable township, MARG Swarnabhoomi can be the first city to be certified under IGBC Green Township Rating,” says Ar. Poorva Keskar, IGBC Co-Chair, Pune Chapter.
Walk to work concept of Marg Swarnabhoomi promotes the residences to get closer to work places, thereby enhancing Employment Opportunities. CSR at MARG entails educational and community development activities in neighbouring villages. Buildings in Swarnabhoomi are already implementing for Green Designs like The SAM building which is aiming for GOLD and IT Park which is aiming for Platinum rating.
Use of Alternate transportation is already implemented by using vehicles for movement within the township.Pedestrian and Cycling tracks are properly defined in Master Planning. MARG Swarnabhoomi reduces energy consumption through energy efficient equipments. The energy savings that can be realized by adopting this rating programme can be to the tune of 20 – 30 %. Further, on-site power generation using various renewable energy technologies which can significantly reduce the load on grid power supply. And also it encourages effective waste management strategies by facilitating the segregating of waste at source and promoting the reuse / co- processing of products and materials.
Innovation and technology is already adopted in designs like that of the SAM building which is fully acoustically treated. Techno Park uses the Green elements for facade which is one of prime feature used in India.
MARG Swarnabhoomi aims to get 162 points as against the 160 needed to achieve Platinum rating as per the draft township rating.
ABOUT INDIAN GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL (IGBC)
The Green Building movement in India has been spearheaded by IGBC (Indian Green Building Council) since 2001.
It has been continuously working to provide tools that facilitate the adoption of Green Building practices like LEED India NC, CS, IGBC Green themes and IGBC Green Factories.
Rapid urbanization has placed immense strain on natural resources and integrated township development is seen as one of the tools to address the problems of housing shortage, traffic congestions and rising pollution of land, air and water.
ABOUT MARG LIMITED
MARG Limited (BSE: 530543), incorporated in 1994 and headquartered in Chennai, is an infrastructure, real estate development and services company. The Company is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and its shares are traded on the NSE under the category of ‘Permitted Security’.
MARG’s businesses are organized under 4 distinct business verticals – Marine Infrastructure & Services, Urban & Industrial Infrastructure, EPC and Real Estate. MARG is strategically developing greenfield ports on the Eastern Coast of India. The Karaikal Port is currently operational with a capacity of 5.2 MMTPA (Million Metric Tonnes Per Annum) and phased expansion is underway to eventually scale up to 47 MMTPA. The Company has also been awarded a contract to develop a Minor Port cum Ship Repair Yard at Mugaiyur. In addition to marine infrastructure, MARG also offers related services such as dredging and logistics. MARG Swarnabhoomi, the Company's flagship project in Urban & Industrial Infrastructure, is being developed as an inclusive city based on the principles of New Urbanism, with unique offerings for Business, Living & Learning. The Company's EPC division provides integrated turnkey solutions for Greenfield and Brownfield projects pan-India serving clients such as L&T, BHEL, Indian Oil, HP among others. MARG's Residential Real Estate business, under the umbrella brand MARG ProperTies, offers homes across multiple segments with focus on affordable housing. Malls, IT Parks and Office Spaces constitute the Company's Commercial Real Estate business. MARG is also expanding its sectoral presence with Airport projects in Bellary and Bijapur and a Multi-Level Car Park (MLCP) in Chennai.
The Company, currently employing over 1000 people, is ISO 9001: 2008 certified for carrying out activities in planning and development of commercial, residential and turnkey projects. MARG Ltd. and/or its subsidiaries have offices in India, China and Singapore.
More information on MARG is available on http://www.marggroup.com
