INDORE: Indore, the cleanest city in the country, is also leading the race for the highest number of green building footprints and smart urban infrastructure in the state, followed by Bhopal and Ujjain, according to the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC). IGBC, a part of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), is a leading certification body.
Sustainable projects have encompassed approximately 500.4 million sq ft of eco-friendly footprints in Madhya Pradesh, with 478.3 million sq ft exclusively in Indore. These projects span residential, commercial, industrial, data centre, and environmentally conscious built environment projects, according to IGBC, amid growing eco-friendly developments in the state.
“Indore is making considerable progress toward green building development and achieving net-zero energy goals. The city has embraced energy-efficient designs, sustainable materials, and renewable energy in its urban planning and construction practices,” said Kushagra Agrawal, Co-Chair, IGBC Indore Chapter.
Indore has around 170 certified green building projects, of which 150 are gold-rated, including residential, commercial, factories, and schools, according to IGBC.
“There is a growing emphasis on green buildings, net-zero energy developments, and smart urban infrastructure. Cities like Indore, Bhopal, and Ujjain are integrating sustainability into urban planning through initiatives such as efficient waste and water management, green mobility, and renewable energy adoption,” said Agrawal.
Industry experts said the trend for sustainable projects is growing, though high investment costs and limited professional training are a few challenges in the sector. They said builders, architects, policymakers, and technologists should join hands to address challenges slowing the growth of sustainable projects.
The Indore chapter of IGBC has recommended incentivising and collaborating with the Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association (CREDAI) to promote green buildings in both residential and commercial sectors.
The IGBC has a registered green building footprints of 13.26 billion sq ft, with over 15,500 projects adopting IGBC’s 32 rating systems.