New MEA building gets green recognition

Jawaharlal Nehru Bhavan, the new building of the Ministry of External Affairs, has been awarded for implementing green building norms and putting in place measures to ensure energy efficiency.
The LEED India Gold Rating Certification from Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) was handed over to Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai at a function.
Speaking on the occasion, Mathai said he was happy that J N Bhavan -- a red sandstone structure -- has become the first central government office to be awarded the gold certification for implementing green building norms.
"I thank the Green Building Council for their support to MEA in its endeavor to implement Green Building measures at JN Bhavan. This collaborated effort resulted in the Jawaharlal Nehru Bhavan obtaining the gold rating for energy conservation," said Mathai.

"It's a matter of pride for all of us that the Jawaharlala Nehru Bhavan the seat of the MEA, has become the first government of India office to receive a gold certification," said Mathai.
The state-of-the-art building is in complete harmony with its environment and surrounding of Lutyen's Delhi. The total plot size is 7.785 acres and the total built up area of the building is 59,475 sqm.

"The construction of the Jawaharlal Nehru Bhavan has been an interesting and quite challenging experience for the Ministry. Those who initiated the action rightly desired to construct a state of art and energy conscious building with an excellent working environment on a plot of land," said Mathai.

The cost of the project was Rs 232 crore.
"It's a matter of great satisfaction that the building has been awarded the 50 points against the set objective.
"I take this opportunity to place on record the debt we all hold to my predecessors, the previous foreign secretaries to actually initiate this project from the time of foreign secretary Shyam Saran who contributed immensely towards getting the approved green design incorporated," said Mathai.