World’s 1st Exclusive Green-Rating System For India’s 1st High-Speed Rail

The objective of IGBC green rating for the bullet train is to ensure environmental sustainability

The world’s first exclusive green rating system is formulated for the upcoming 508.17 km long Mumbai-Ahemdabad bullet train corridor – the country’s first high speed rail project. The Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) – formed by the industry body Confederation of Indian Industry or CII, collaborated with the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited to undertake the formulation of the green rating system for the high-speed rail corridor. (Also Read: India’s First High-Speed Rail To Contribute In Easing Dependence On Crude Oil Import )

The green rating system will be a tool to enable the new bullet train corridor’s stations, in a bid to apply energy-efficient technology during the design and construction phase, according to NHSRCL – the special purpose vehicle of the Railway Ministry to implement the bullet train project in India. The Mumbai-Ahemdabad high-speed rail will be an eco-friendly mode of transport and is likely to reduce the dependence on the import of crude oil.

The objective of the IGBC green rating for the bullet train project is to ensure environmental sustainability and improve passenger’s experience. The NHSRCL states on its website that the carbon emission for a 600 km trip per passenger by the high-speed rail is 8.1 kg, compared to 93 kg for airplane travel, and 67.4 kg for car travel, according to a study by the International Union of Railways.

 The exclusive green rating programme for the bullet train, developed by CII-IGBC will help the organisation to ensure the adoption of futuristic green concepts during the designing, construction and operations phases of the Mumbai- Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor, according to Achal Khare, Managing Director, NHSRCL.

Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail: Environment-friendly features-

• It is being developed as an eco-friendly transport as a rainwater harvesting mechanism, solar panels to harness solar power as well as wastewater treatment plants have been incorporated in the station designs, viaducts, and depots construction for the bullet train project.
• The certified green building material, products, and equipment will also be used for the construction of the high-speed rail.
• The bullet train corridor stations are being planned as green buildings as they will be equipped with eco-friendly features such as natural light provisions and ventilation.

The country’s first bullet train corridor will be operated between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, covering a total of 12 stations along the route. Once ready for services, the high-speed rail will operate at a speed of 320 km per hour and will be similar to Shinkansen or the Japan bullet train. It will cover the entire journey between Maharashtra and Gujarat (including halts at all stations) in two hours and 57 minutes, according to NHSRCL.