The Indian Green Building Council – Confederation of Industry (IGBC-CII) has certified Secunderabad Railway Station as India’s first Green Railway Station. The Secunderabad Railway Station has received a IGBC – CII Silver Rating. The certification is valid for a period of three years.

The Secunderabad Railway Station holds a total area of 13.34 acres and has received several ‘Green’ inputs which enabled the Certification Rating. There are 408 different species of trees available in the station area, organic fertilizers and pesticides are being used, a solar PV installation that covers 41.2 percent of the exposed station roof area, and a 500 kW solar system that was installed in 2016 and generates 2,500 units of power per day, accounting for 37 percent of energy requirements of the station, leading to savings of ₹72.92 Lakh annually. The lawn and shade area approximately 12,876.00 square meters covering around 55 percent of the total area. With a total number of 4,864 fixtures, the Secunderabad station is lit by 100 percent LEDs.

Among the other Green initiatives in practice at Secunderabad Railway Station are a Sewage Treatment Plant with a capacity of 5 Lakh liters per day, availability of central waste collection for hazardous, wet and dry substances, a bottle crushing machine, CO2 sensors provided at AC waiting halls, certified green products used for cleanliness and maintenance, energy and water audits conducted once every three years, 100 percent of hot water through solar power (1,600 liters per day), rain water harvesting pits at circulating areas, and sub-metering for energy and water usage. Additionally, the railway station offers smart passenger services as 100 percent digital cashless payments, free high speed wifi facility for passengers, a child help desk, pre-paid auto/taxi stand, and a help desk.

The IGBC-CII, with the support of Environment Directorate of Indian Railways, has developed the Green Railway Stations Rating system to facilitate adoption of Green Concepts, thereby reducing the adverse environmental impacts due to station operation & maintenance and enhance the overall commuter experience.

The rating system helps to address national priorities like water conservation, handling of waste, energy efficiency, reduced use of fossil fuels, less dependency on usage of valuable materials and the health and well-being of occupants.

Image credit: IndiaRailInfo