Date:23/05/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/pp/2009/05/23/stories/2009052350260200.htm

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Green awareness

Awareness of clean energy and green buildings does not seem to reach the common man in the expected way. For many, the easiest way to build a house is still using the conventional construction methods. The Indian Institute of Architects (IIA), Kerala chapter, has stepped in to change this perspective. Its Green-i programme towards this end was launched in Kochi on May 9. Shashi Tharoor, former U.N. official, ; Oscar award winner Resul Pookutty; and singer Usha Uthup are the Green-i brand ambassadors.

While Mr. Pookutty and Mr. Uthup attended the programme, Mr. Tharoor’s recorded message was screened. Several people in the construction industry participated in the programme.

Only when ordinary people understand the ideas behind green concepts will they take to the new methods, says Lalichan Zacharias, chairman of the IIA Kerala chapter.

Cutting costs the green way and achieving a better lifestyle will be the mantra of the Green-i programme conceived by the chapter.

Revival

With the UPA returning to power, the property pundits anticipate the revival of the real estate market in the northern region that witnessed shrinking of transactions when the country was in election mode.

“The sale and purchase of property will now start taking place as the Centre is expected to have stable government led by the UPA,” Punjab Properties and Colonizers Association Chairman Anil Chopra said in Chandigarh. The property transactions dipped by 70 to 80 per cent in the northern region ahead of the elections as people were not inclined to invest in the real estate due to apprehensions that no major political party would get a majority, experts said.

“We observed just ahead of the start of the elections that the sale and purchase of land or residential or commercial properties almost came to a halt,” he said. Now that the results are out, the property rates would again move upward, which would bring some relief for the realty sector. “We are seeing enquiries for residential as well as commercial properties by customers particularly in Gurgaon and Delhi after the elections, which is a good sign for the real estate industry,” Realtech Group CEO Rohit Malhotra said.

- PTI