Effective implementation of Environmental Conditions in Andhra Pradesh Building Rules

Date: October 29, October 30 and November 1, 2018

Venue: Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada and Tirupati

CSE, as part of its engagement withAndhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB), convened urban local bodies and regulators in Andhra Pradesh to engage them on the environmental conditions in the state building byelaws.

Andhra Pradesh notified its Buildings Rules in 2017. CSE has supported the state on integrationof environmental safeguards with their Buildings Rules as suggested by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in the Environmental Impact Assessment Notification.The next step is to capacitate urban local bodies (ULBs) and regulators on how to effectively implement these conditions.

Andhra Pradesh has some 100 ULBs.First series of capacitation was provided for the state through regional training programmes, which took place in Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada and Tirupati on October 30, October 31 and November 1, 2018.

Maka Siva Reddy, Joint Chief Environmental Engineer, APPCB delivered a welcome note and celebrated Andhra Pradesh government's lead in integrating environmental compliance with the state building byelaws. The draft EIA notification 2018 brings all construction within 50,000 sqm under the purview of building byelaws, increasing their environmental regulatory importance and the role of ULBs. Therefore, "huge capacity building is required for the ULBs to curb the environmental impact of buildings and new constructions" - he added.

Dr. A. Hemanth, Chief Medical Officer of Health, Greater Vizag Municipal Corporation (GVMC) attended the programme and remarked the city is prioritising on scientific waste management.

Rajneesh Sareen, Programme Director, CSE commenced technical sessions planned for the day by discussing environmental governance in built sector. “States need to start preparing stringent building codes for energy efficiency, water management, sustainable materials and waste management” he pointed. Green buildings, passive design techniques and decentralised service systems are an effective way to ensure reduction in the environmental impact of the buildings. “States should push for these techniques by making environmental compliance mandatory in building codes” – Mr. Sareen pointed.

Sugeet Grover and Mitashi Singh proceeded the technical sessions by discussing on topics such as integrated green design, energy efficiency, water and waste management in buildings.

About 300 ULBs, regulators and public functionaries participated in the regional training programmes. They showed great interest in construction and demolition waste management including its estimation, recycling and reuse. Hands-on exercises conducted by the team were much appreciated by the ULBs.

The event was extensively covered by national and local media. Weblinks to a few covers are below: