Medical College hostel in Vadodara earns green building tag

Time of India

6 days ago

Vadodara: A hostel building for undergraduate medical students of Medical College, Baroda, has become the first-ever green-certified building on the campus of the state-run Sir Sayajirao General (SSG) Hospital in Vadodara.
The nine-storey high-rise, part of Central Gujarat's largest govt hospital complex, has received a 3-star rating under GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment) from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. The hostel, completed in March last year, was funded by the department of health and family welfare of the Gujarat govt and constructed by the state's project implementation unit.
"We voluntarily undertook this initiative to reduce emissions and make the building environmentally sustainable," said Dr Ranjan Aiyer, medical superintendent of SSG Hospital.
The green building certification was carried out by N K Ojha, former registrar of MS University. "The campus also has a proposal to carry out the greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions report, wherein the emissions will be calculated, and attempts will be made to reduce emissions and then transfer the leftover emissions to carbon handprint to convert it into a zero-emissions campus," said Ojha.
As part of the green building certification, the hostel building, located on a 4,008.06 sqm site with a 14,820 sqm built-up area, underwent a water audit to ensure that the water footprint is below the standard norms.
"Water consumption was reduced by 25-30% with water-efficient plumbing fixtures and a water-efficient irrigation system. Also, energy and water meters were installed to monitor the consumption of energy and water and take corrective measures if consumption is more than the design case," said Ojha.
Energy-efficient lighting fixtures, electrical equipment, and enhanced daylighting will ensure that energy consumption is saved in the building.
"Similarly, enhanced ventilation and cross ventilation will provide comfort to the occupants even without air-conditioners," he said.
"Adoption of green procurement policy, green housekeeping chemicals, creating a barrier-free environment, providing preferred parking for physically handicapped, and increasing accessibility to basic services within walking distance were among the other measures that were taken in the process," added Ojha.