Playing a catalytic role in spearheading the Green Metro Rail Movement in the country is the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). It has gained the unique distinction of becoming the world’s first ever Metro system to get green certification for all its major buildings and installations. After being awarded IGBC green certifications for its Phase III stations, depots and sub stations, 10 residential colonies of DMRC were also recently awarded the Platinum rating for adherence to green building norms. DMRC has also successfully achieved the target of generating 20 MW of solar power by the year 2017 by adding another 2.6 MW of solar power facilities across the Metro network. The new solar power facilities were dedicated to the nation by Dr. Mangu Singh, MD, DMRC and other senior officials at the 3rd edition of the Conference on Green Metro Systems, organized on July 28 in New Delhi. Acknowledging DMRC’s pioneering role in spearheading the green metro movement in the country, IGBC presented a special recognition plaque to DMRC at the Conference. 

Some of the green features DMRC has initiated in its projects are:
1. Use of variable speed primary pumps instead of fixed speed primary pumps along with variable speed secondary pumps will provide estimated energy saving of 7,500 kWh/year/station.
2. Cross flow cooling towers with fan motors of 4.38 BkW, instead of counter flow cooling towers of 10.1 BkW fan motors, will provide estimated energy saving of 86,000 kWh/year/station.
3. By providing VFD in AHUs and TEFA units, about 30% energy can be saved. CO2 sensors are being used in the Phase III stations for controlling the quantity of fresh air. Fresh air intake fan is VFD-controlled to control oxygen requirement in underground stations. This has resulted in an estimated energy saving of 8,000 kWh/year/station.

4. DMRC has already replaced about 20% of conventional lamps with LED lamps till date; this also saves significant energy. All the lighting in underground stations of Phase III is with LED lamps. The final reduction in connected load is 21 kW, from the conventional 55 kW to 34 kW. This has resulted in an estimated energy saving of 1,53,300 kWh/
year.
5. Air Handling Unit and Track-way Exhaust Fan collectively consume up to 50% to 60% of energy consumption of ECS. 6. By use of regenerative braking system in rolling stock, DMRC earns carbon credits worth Rs.50 crore per annum and the energy saved per year is 111.1 MU. (DMRC is the first railway/ Metro project in the world registered Under CDM.)

IGBC Green MRTS Rating is receiving tremendous response from metro authorities across the country. As of date, over 290 stations of various metro authorities are going green with IGBC and many other stations are in the pipeline.

Prime Minister Acknowledges IGBC
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address at the recent inaugural program of Kochi Metro Rail Stations, said, “It is heartening to note that all stations, as well as the Operation Control Centre of Kochi Metro, have achieved Platinum rating, which is the highest certification level given by the Indian Green Building Council.”

3rd Conference on Green Metro Systems 2017
Addressing the inaugural session of Conference on Green Metro Systems 2017, Dr. Mangu Singh, MD, DMRC stressed the need for adoption of green technologies in constructing and running Metro systems. He said that energy consumption has increased by 700 percent in the last four decades in the country; this will increase further three times by 2030. One of the major users of energy is the transport sector, especially urban transport. Therefore, it is very relevant to focus on Metro systems. Appreciating DMRC for its various green initiatives, Dr. Prem C. Jain, Chairman, IGBC said, ”DMRC is India’s first Metro system to be certified green. The Platinum ratings they have got are very hard-earned.” A. K. Gupta, Director (Electrical), DMRC and Chairman of the Conference, highlighted the various green initiatives by DMRC. He elaborated on the forthcoming projects.

IGBC Green Mass Rapid Transit System Rating System

Metro Rail authorities in India have many internal organisational policies in place to sustainably manage environmental resources.However, there is a need to have a definitive and voluntary standard for green design, construction and operation of metro rail projects. Addressing this imperative, IGBC, with the support of the stakeholders launched the IGBC Green Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) Rating in 2014. This is the world’s first exclusive rating system to address sustainability in new metro rail and monorail systems. All kinds of metro rail and monorail projects, namely underground, elevated and at-grade stations come under its ambit.

Benefits of IGBC Green MRTS Rating

By applying the green concepts in the design, construction and operation, the following additional benefits are envisaged over conventional MRTS, for the Metro Rail authorities and commuters:
• Reduced dependency on private vehicles, thereby minimising the environmental impact associated with the use of fossil fuels.
• Integration with other modes of public transport, thereby enhancing connectivity.
• Enhanced station accessibility to improve first and last mile connectivity and achieve maximum ridership.
• Maximised resource efficiency.
• Increased environmental awareness among commuters.
• Enhanced commuting experience.