The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) is drafting a policy on financial and non-financial initiatives to promote green buildings in the national Capital.

“DDA will soon come up with a policy defining the financial and non-financial initiatives to be offered to those who live in green buildings. The policy will set a precedent for development of ‘smart cities’ across the country,” said Sanjiv Kumar, Secretary Environment and Forest, Delhi Government while addressing the Delhi Environment Summit here on Thursday.

Elaborating on the policy draft, Dr Prem C Jain, Chairman India Green Business Council said, “While the non-financial initiatives include benefits of additional floor space index, the financial ones are likely to include some waiver in property tax or lower property tariffs. The Government has assured us support in this regard and agencies other than DDA will also help in implementing the green building culture in all the areas.”

New Delhi MP Meenakshi lekhi, who was chairing the session, advocated for constructing effluent treatment plants instead of low cost compost. “We any way need dumping grounds for low cost compost and the by-product sells around Rs10 per kg where as if we use sewage treatment plans and use it to produce CNG, it will sell around Rs60 per kg,” she said.

“Similarly the building constructions should also involve the use of micro-simulators which ensures proper utilisation of waste as resources,” lekhi added. Delhi Environment Summit themed ‘Planning today for tomorrow’ is a day-long session jointly organised by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and UNESCO to deliberate upon various environmental issues, solutions for environment conservation and green concepts in Delhi.