Solar Panels Must To Get Building Permission?

Agreeing to install solar panels may be made compulsory to get permission for the construction of multi-storied buildings in the GHMC limits.

Delivering the keynote address in the workshop held in the build-up to the forthcoming international event XI Metropolis World Congress at the Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI), Telangana minister K Taraka Rama Rao asked the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) to make having solar panels compulsory for getting building permissions.

He said that some rules were already in place, and that the GHMC should strictly implement them.

He said that the solar panels in the buildings would help not only in lighting up the streets, but also in saving energy.

He also asked the IT Parks in the State to get retro-fittings in order to save power and reduce pollution.

Making an indirect reference to the TDP Government's claim of constructing the Hitec City, the minister said that mere construction of buildings would not make a city "smart".

He said that the necessary infrastructure like a good drainage system should also be in place to support the growth.

"A city can be defined as 'smart' when we invest in human and social capital along with traditional and modern communication infrastructure to fuel sustainable economic development. This along with a high quality of life, and an intelligent management of natural resources through participatory governance, helps in transforming cities to smart cities. We hope that the efforts of all the stakeholders during MWC 2014 will result in achieving these desired goals," he said.

The minister said that energy, traffic, sanitation, public health, roads and drainage were the important requirements that should be addressed properly.

He also said that the State government would try to get as many of the 100 cities to be chosen for upgradation to smart cities by the Centre as possible. (INN)