IGBC Green Railway Stations rating system is the first of its kind holistic rating in India to address environmental sustainability in Indian railway stations. The overarching objective of the rating is to facilitate adoption of green concepts, thereby reduce the adverse environmental impacts due to station operation & maintenance, and enhance the overall commuter experience at station. The rating system will help the station management to understand their present position with respect to the ‘green performance’ of the station and the measures that need to be taken to enhance the performance on a continual basis.
CII-IGBC with the support of Environment Directorate of Indian Railway has developed the Green Railway Stations rating system. IGBC Green Railway Stations rating system is a voluntary and consensus based programme.
By applying the green concepts in the design & construction, the following benefits are envisaged over conventional railway station.
Indian Railways:
- Operational savings through
- Reduction in electrical energy consumption towards non-traction upto 40%
- Water consumption reduction for station applications upto 30%
- Effective Waste management during operation of station
- Improved station facility management
- Opportunity to increase environmental awareness among all Indian Railways staff
Commuters:
- Improved accessibility to stations, thereby enabling easier first mile & last mile connectivity
- Effective ventilation & indoor environment quality
- Enhanced health, well-being & safety of commuters
- User-friendly design for differently abled & elderly people
Other Environmental Benefits:
- Reduction in energy consumption and hence the reduction in the associated environmental impacts.
- Increased use of renewable energy sources, thereby minimising the fossil fuel energy use
- Improved waste management, thereby avoiding waste being sent to land-fills
- Use of eco-friendly construction materials thereby reducing the dependency on the use of virgin materials
Scope for Green Railway Stations Rating
Green Railway Stations rating system is designed primarily for existing Indian railway stations. The stations under major redevelopment can also apply for Green Railway Stations rating.
The steps involved as part of Green Railway Station rating:
- Training for the Railway Station operation and Maintenance personnel on ‘Green Railway Station’.
- Performance improvement study including detailed study on opportunities for:
- Reducing energy & water consumption
- Increasing renewable energy
- Effective waste management
- Enhancing passenger amenities, etc.
- Guidance on implementation of green measures.
- Facilitation of assessment by Third Party independent experts
- Award of ‘Green Railway Station Rating’
Success Story
Visakhapatnam railway station of East Coast Railway has been awarded the ‘Green Railway Station Certification with highest rating of Platinum’ by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) for adopting green concepts thereby reducing the adverse environmental impact. DRM/ Waltair, Anup Satpathy received the certification from Dr S Vijayakumar, Chairman, IGBC Visakhapatnam Chapter at a function organised at Visakhapatnam on 24.01.23.
Visakhapatnam is one of the few railway stations to get this prestigious certificate. Visakhapatnam secured 82 out of 100 points in six environmental categories.
The Environment Directorate of Indian Railways, with the support of the IGBC, has developed the Green Railway Station rating system. It addresses national priorities such as water conservation, handling of waste, energy efficiency, reduced use of fossil fuel, lesser dependence on usage of virgin materials and health and well-being of occupants. Source PIB News