5 per cent extra FAR free for green buildings in UP

The Uttar Pradesh Government has decided to reward developers of eco-friendly buildings by giving them 5 per cent extra floor-area ratio (FAR) for free.

The Government will allow 5 per cent extra vertical construction for green building development in areas more than 5,000 sq metre without any extra tax. The demand for extra FAR had been made by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), part of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

According to state government orders issued to development authorities, green buildings after every five years will have to present green norms fulfillment certificate to the development authority. The orders also permit extra FAR for ongoing construction on fulfillment of green norms.

Rupesh Singh, head of IGBC for UP, said, “Development authorities charge a hefty sum from those builders who want to purchase an additional 5 per cent FAR. After the new orders, if a building after construction is considered eco-friendly according to the Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA) and Indian Green Council building norms, then the 5 per cent additional FAR will be given for free.”

Singh explained that a green building was not a product but a process that looks at site selection, right design, proper material use, energy and water efficiency and use of renewable resources. “A green building does not depend on electricity as it uses natural light. In construction, a green building does minimum damage to the environment as it does not exploit groundwater and uses prefabricated eco-friendly materials,” he added.

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The IGBC head also remarked that municipal corporations and other authorities should incentivise green buildings because they use less resources thereby reducing pressure on civic services like water supply and garbage disposal.