Housing ministry urges developers to embed green infrastructure in new projects
A senior official from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs told builders at an Assocham conference that future housing must include green spaces, rainwater harvesting, water recycling and sewage treatment facilities.
Speaking at an Assocham real-estate conference, D Thara, secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, emphasized that developers must adopt a scientific approach that integrates necessary infrastructure for sustainable urban living. She highlighted recent flooding in Delhi and Gurugram as evidence of inadequate green spaces and water-management systems in new housing projects. Thara recommended that builders set aside green zones and incorporate rainwater harvesting, water-recycling and sewage treatment plants, noting that resident welfare associations lack the capacity to operate such facilities.
She proposed creating a specialized company staffed by engineering graduates to oversee sewage treatment. Additionally, she called for greater use of green construction materials and the formation of research wings within industry bodies. Thara encouraged developers to leverage the Delhi Master Plan 2047 and mentioned the approval of the first land-pooling project as a step toward better infrastructure sharing.
Why it matters
Ensuring sustainable infrastructure in housing can reduce flooding risks and promote long-term urban resilience.
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