The redevelopment of seven colonies will increase the green spread from about 14 per cent to nearly 55 per cent with zero discharge in a sustainable manner, says National Buildings Construction Corporation chairman cum managing director Anoop Kumar Mittal
The National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC) has proposed the redevelopment of seven colonies that will give a green facelift to Delhi with a tree cover intended to grow by four times to near 55 per cent, focussing on zero waste discharge, organised parking, no load on ground water and effective Metro connectivity.
“Utmost care is being taken to protect the environment while redeveloping General Pool Residential Accommodation (GPRA) colonies in the national capital to utilise existing land resources in the most efficient manner and meet the growing demand for built-up space. Our vision is to develop Delhi in a most planned and sustainable manner and ensure that apart from these colonies, sewage treatment services are also provided in neighbouring colonies,” NBCC CMD Anoop Kumar Mittal said.
“Permissions have been obtained from Delhi government and other authorities for cutting about 3,748 trees for redeveloping Nauroji Nagar and Netaji Nagar and planting 10,000 trees apart from paying for green coverage. Plans are being finalised for other colonies. Our redevelopment model is on display at New Moti Bagh, where green coverage is about 65 per cent as compared to the barren land that we had acquired, and East Kidwai Nagar, where there are no tube wells and ground water usage now,” he said.
He further mentioned that several old colonies that add up to 12,970 flats will be transformed into modern colonies with 25,667 flats, all equipped with an extensive green cover, sewage treatment plants, organised parking and other amenities.
Since 2012, NBCC, a Navratna CPSE under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), has planted 4,722 trees. “This year alone, 2,000 trees more trees are being planted,” he said adding that permission was given to cut only 62 trees here.
Besides, 5.5 lakh litres of sewage are treated per day and treated water is being used for horticulture/landscaping. Surplus water is supplied to NDMC. Steps have been taken to raise the level of groundwater since then.
In East Kidwai Nagar, NBCC saved more than 30 per cent of full-grown trees during construction in 2014 and planted 2,700 trees at different points. They have planted a total of 8,165 trees and the Forest Department will plant another 9,480 trees at other locations to maintain the ecological balance. “Significantly, the green area will be increased by 44 per cent compared to 23 per cent before redevelopment with horizontal constructions,” said Mittal. Here permission was given to cut a total of 1,852 trees.
“Are these colonies environmental damaging or protectingIJ Please tour these colonies and compare these with other areas developed by others,” he said.
Multi-storey buildings have increased the ground cover. Moreover, 10 trees are being planted to make up for the loss of one tree. NBCC has budgeted Rs 23 crore for planting of saplings in lieu of the two projects.
“All measures are being taken in the planning and designing of these colonies to construct Green Projects with GRIHA certification where utmost care and respect is being observed towards our natural environment,” said Mittal. He further added, “As such, green cover and sustainability of environment will be ensured while redeveloping these colonies.”
“With sustainable transportation and road connectivity to Metro stations, the city should move towards sewage treatment plants (STPs) in a major way over the next 10 years,” said Dr Mittal. The CPWD has been assigned to redevelop GPRA colonies in Mohammadpur, Sriniwaspuri, Kasturba Nagar and Thyagaraj Nagar.