AP gets top honours for its role in green building movement

Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh Government was honuored with the IGBC Green Champion Award for its multi-pronged approach in encouraging the green building movement across the State.

With over 598 IGBC-registered green building projects, contributing more than 622 million sq. ft. of certified green built environment, Andhra Pradesh has firmly established itself as a front-runner in sustainable infrastructure development in India.

At the 12th IGBC Green Champion Awards, the State Government's visionary leadership was lauded for bold initiatives like the Swarna Andhra Swachh Andhra program, the certification of Amaravati as an IGBC Green City by Design, and landmark partnerships with Andhra Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited (APMRCL) and Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) to embed sustainability principles into metro and urban development projects.

The IGBC recognition highlights Andhra Pradesh’s comprehensive incentive regime designed to stimulate green transition in private real estate while institutionalising sustainability in public assets. The State has introduced a new package of fiscal incentives to encourage IGBC-certified projects and make green buildings financially attractive to developers. Under the Directorate of Town and Country Planning (DTCP), impact fee concessions have been announced, offering a 10 per cent discount for IGBC Silver-rated projects, 15 per cent for Gold and 20 per cent for Platinum. In parallel, AP RERA has introduced registration fee refunds linked to green certification, with 10 per cent refund for Silver, 15 per cent for Gold and 20 per cent for Platinum, payable at project closure.

These measures are designed to reward projects that invest in better energy, water and environmental performance right from the design stage. These fresh incentives build on an existing facilitative framework. The government continues to extend a 20 per cent reduction in permit fees, provide for development charges to be paid in four equal instalments, and grant a 20 per cent concession in property transfer duty for projects sold within three years, subject to submission of occupancy certificate. Together, these provisions significantly ease cash flow for developers, lower the cost of compliant projects and promote wider adoption of green certification across the State. Representing the Government of Andhra Pradesh at the awards ceremony, R J Vidyullatha, Director of Town and Country Planning, received the IGBC Green Champion Award on behalf of the Municipal Administration & Urban Development Department. She noted that the recognition reinforces Andhra Pradesh’s commitment to mainstream green and net zero building practices across government and private developments and to position the State as a preferred destination for climate-resilient investments.

Principal Secretary, Municipal Administration & Urban Development S Suresh Kumar underscored in various forums that the building sector represents a critical intervention point for climate action, contributing a significant share of global greenhouse gas emissions.