The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation plans to work closely with all the stakeholders in promoting Green Affordable Housing and with the State Governments to map the needs and requirements for affordable housing.

It has proposed to make affordable housing an integral part of smart cities.

Speaking at the CII-IGBC Green Building Congress 2014 here, Anita Agnihotri, Secretary, Housing Ministry, said that with increased urbanisation, there is a growing need to develop and promote housing structures which are not only affordable but also sustainable and scalable.

She said the housing sector has a multiplier effect in terms of providing employment and security. To make this happen, it is imperative to work closely with all the stakeholders. The Ministry would be pleased to work with IGBC and other stakeholders.

Quality of life Prem C Jain, Chairman, IGBC, said India, at over 2.2 billion sq.ft, is the second country in the world with the largest green building footprint.

Various types of buildings, including schools are going the green way. IGBC aspires that by the year 2032, every Indian should find shelter in a green home, where there is increased quality of life, he said.

C Shekar Reddy, National President, CREDAI, highlighted the need to do away with no objection certificates and implement online registrations of building permissions. This will make the process transparent, simpler and facilitate rapid spread of the housing sector.

The three-day Congress concluded on Saturday.

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