PANAJI
The Manohar International Airport at Mopa has scored brownie points even before the first commercial flight could land or take off on its runway, achieving the ‘platinum’ rating under the Indian Green Building Council’s (IGBC) new rating system, making it the first such airport terminal in the country.
Platinum is the IGBC’s highest certification level.
The terminal building of the Manohar International Airport, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last Sunday and is expected to begin commercial operations in January next year, includes green features to conserve energy, water and reduce waste.
IGBC listed the planting of 5.5 lakh native and adaptive tree species to enhance green cover and reduce heat island effect as one crucial feature that contributed to the ‘platinum’ rating.
Expected saving of 9,000 kilolitres of potable water annually due to efficient flow and flush fittings, 5 MW capacity on-site Solar PV system with capacity to generate 7,600 MWh annually meeting 60% of the total energy consumption are some other features that influenced the IGBC rating.
GMR Goa International Airports Limited has also installed a 340 kg organic waste composter to treat 100% of the organic waste generated daily and carbon dioxide (CO2) sensors and germicidal UV lamps are used in the Air Handling Units (AHUs) to monitor CO2 levels and treat supply air.
“While the transition to sustainable aviation fuel is a work in progress, there is a need to ensure all existing and future airports infrastructure and operations are sustainable,” said IGBC chairman Gurmit Singh Arora.
