Sustainable and Green Construction Technologies in India

Abstract

<p>India has taken up an ambitious Road Development Programme thereby planning Construction/Up- gradation of about 50000 km of National Highways in the next five years. This implies huge construction work in the road sector. As transport sector is responsible for about 14% of total energy related CO2 emissions and share of road transport in CO2 emissions is about 88% in India, there is huge scope to reduce CO2 emissions generated during construction by deploying low carbon measures. With the global focus shifting to low carbon transport, the highways sector offers a significant opportunity of reducing the carbon footprint of road transport. Mainstreaming of Sustainable and green construction technology included various measures including preparation of National Standards and Guidelines for construction materials & methods and developing green rating systems for Indian road sectors. Indian Roads Congress is an apex body of highway engineers with the mandate to prepare National Standards for entire road sector in India. Recently, IRC has prepared several codes and guidelines for promoting sustainable and green construction technologies. This paper discusses recent IRC codes on Sustainable and green solutions for reducing the carbon footprints of construction and maintenance works in road sector. The paper also discusses the challenges in the use of green technology in India and their possible solutions. The green rating system for Indian roads will also be useful in incentivizing various green technologies/materials.</p>