New Town becomes 1st Indian city to commit to UN’s energy pledge
Right from conception, New Town was built as a smart city, which includes being a Green City and a Solar City, and it has now become the first Indian city to commit to adopting United Nations’ (UN) ‘energy compact’ pledge.
New Town, the smart city built by the Bengal government on the outskirts of Kolkata, with the infrastructure developed by the government agency HIDCO, has become the first city in India to commit to the United Nations’ (UN) ‘energy compact’ pledge to battle the climate crisis.
The five main commitments of the pledge that New Town has decided to adhere to are:
• Stable modern energy connection for all
• 2 per cent of the total energy consumption from renewable energy (like solar power) by 2030
• Explore geothermal energy by 2030
• Ensure 5 per cent energy efficiency
• Ensure non-motorisation of intra-city by 50 per cent
New Town has already been declared as a ‘Green City’ and a ‘Solar City’ which can produce 1.3 megawatts (MW) of peak solar power.
The recognition of Green City came from the Indian Gold Building Council (IGBC), a building certification organisation which is a part of the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), in 2018. Earlier, in 2013, the Union government had approved the state government’s plan to develop the township as a Solar City. The city is now part of the Solar City Mission.
The New Town Kolkata Development (NKDA) is encouraging the use of e-vehicles to reduce pollution. A large number of electric buses ply the township’s roads and connect it to Salt Lake and Kolkata.
Commercial, residential buildings are connected to a grid-based power supply to ensure stability. Plots are handed over to individuals and developers only after ensuring power supply from the grid.
Buildings more than 15.5 meters tall have the provision of solar heaters and solar photovoltaic cells (on the roofs). Those with a power demand of more than 1.5 MW are asked to instal solar panels to meet 2 per cent of the total consumption.
As part of its commitment towards an environment-friendly approach, from October 10 till the Durga Puja, the New Town Kolkata Development Agency (NKDA) has organised guided pandal-hopping on bicycles. The bicycles need to be booked in advance.
