With Delhi struggling with rising pollution levels and Mumbai slowly facing similar environmental pressure, the signs are clear. Our cities are growing fast, with taller buildings, wider roads, and constant construction. But are we growing in the right way?
As high-rises reshape the skyline, we must also think about what we are losing, open spaces, trees, and clean air. Development should not mean cutting down greenery. Every new project must include green cover, tree plantations, rooftop gardens, and open breathing spaces. Clean air, efficient water use, proper waste management, and energy-saving buildings should be basic standards, not afterthoughts.
If the coming decade is about infrastructure and expansion, it must also be about responsibility, Net Zero solutions, greener choices, and long-term sustainability. Because the way we build today will decide how livable our cities are tomorrow.
In this context, the CII Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) strengthened its commitment to driving the next phase of India’s sustainable transformation. At The Green Horizon: Towards a Net-Zero Built India on Thursday evening, IGBC underlined its focus on accelerating the mainstream adoption of green and net-zero buildings, particularly across Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, where rapid urbanisation brings both challenges and opportunity.
Marking a leadership milestone, C Shekar Reddy assumed office as National Chairman of IGBC, outlining an ambitious Vision 2035 roadmap. “India’s Net Zero journey will be shaped by how quickly we transform our built environment. Buildings offer one of the most scalable opportunities for carbon reduction and resource efficiency. The next phase must be driven by scale, speed, and systemic integration, especially across Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. Green buildings are no longer optional; they are a strategic necessity,” he stated.
Highlighting the urgency of sustainable growth, C. V. Anand, Special Chief Secretary, Home Department, Government of Telangana, said cities must align development with environmental responsibility. Referring to rising pollution, he noted that Delhi is now being called a “gas chamber,” with Mumbai close behind, a warning India cannot afford to ignore.
He urged the IGBC to expand its outreach towards the eastern part of the country as well, strengthening efforts to promote sustainable development and green building adoption across emerging regions. Adding a personal note, C. V. Anand shared, “When I built my own house, I followed the standards that IGBC advocates.”
Sharing a few words, Gareth Wynn Owen, British Deputy High Commissioner to Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, described his interaction with Shekhar Reddy as a “safe space for ideas,” adding that India is a fantastic place to build sustainably. He also announced that IGBC will be taking a delegation to the UK next month and said he looks forward to stronger participation and deeper collaboration as IGBC goes global.
In his special address, Bandaru Dattatreya, Former Governor of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh and former Member of Parliament from Secunderabad, congratulated IGBC on completing 25 years and called for a stronger focus on advancing Green Telangana.
“Sustainability must remain central to India’s development trajectory. Green and Net Zero buildings are essential instruments of climate action, economic efficiency, and societal well-being. With innovation and institutional leadership, India can build not just resilient infrastructure, but a responsible and prosperous future,” he said.
Got questions or experiences to share? Comment below or connect with me on Instagram @samuelmjosh and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuel-joshua-maddela-ab210b1b9
