In a pioneering move for India's private residential real estate sector, a 105-acre integrated township project at North Hinjewadi in Pune is set to operate as a live environmental laboratory. Scientists and sustainability experts will continuously monitor air quality, dust emissions, water efficiency, waste handling, and residents' long-term livability throughout the project's lifecycle.
Strategic Partnership for Sustainable Development
The initiative stems from a collaboration between The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), Krisala Developers, and Hiranandani Communities. The jointly developed township is expected to eventually house nearly 68,000 residents across approximately 10,000 homes. As Maharashtra's rapidly expanding urban belts grapple with worsening air pollution, urban heat stress, and infrastructure strain, this project aims to create what developers describe as a "performance-led township" rather than merely a certified green project.
Beyond Conventional Green Housing
Unlike typical green housing projects that often stop at design-stage certification, TERI's involvement will extend through the entire lifecycle of the township. This includes pre-construction, active construction phases, occupancy, and long-term maintenance. The project will monitor Air Quality Index (AQI), livability standards, labor welfare, construction dust, transport emissions, stormwater systems, waste segregation, and governance systems using a structured evaluation matrix developed by TERI.
Sanjay Seth, Senior Director of Sustainable Infrastructure at TERI and CEO of GRIHA Council, emphasized, "This goes beyond compliance and focuses on long-term environmental and human health impact."
Dual Certification and Livability Framework
The township is targeting IGBC Green Township Platinum certification while simultaneously building a separate TERI-led livability framework. Experts note that this dual system is rare in Indian housing projects. Planned interventions include outdoor AQI monitoring systems, low-emission construction practices, EV charging infrastructure, cool-surface planning to reduce the urban heat island effect, biophilic landscaping, water-efficient systems, and low-VOC construction materials.
Liveability Index for Township-Level Monitoring
One of the most distinctive features is the proposed "livability index," adapted from city-scale urban assessment frameworks but tailored for township-level monitoring. It will evaluate governance, social infrastructure, transport systems, landscaping, water management, waste systems, and air quality across four phases of the township's lifecycle. The framework also introduces environmental accountability during the construction stage, an area often overlooked in India's real estate sector despite large projects generating substantial dust, noise, and vehicular pollution.
TERI's assessment matrix includes monitoring of dust suppression systems, construction vehicle segregation, labor sanitation, child labor prohibition, women-friendly labor facilities, stormwater systems, waste recycling, and low-carbon construction materials.
Concept of the First Environment Lab
Vishal Agarwal explained the concept behind the country's first environment lab for a private township project: "The TERI Lab at our township is being designed as an experience and demonstration centre to showcase sustainable urban living solutions with a focus on air quality management, environmental monitoring, and livability enhancement technologies, along with ideal construction practices. It reflects the practical implementation of TERI's research-backed sustainability frameworks within a residential township ecosystem."
Agarwal added that the lab and on-site walkthroughs will demonstrate low-carbon construction practices, landscaping interventions, water infrastructure systems, solid waste management measures, AQI-control mechanisms such as CPCB-compliant diesel generators, and technologies aimed at maintaining healthy AQI levels and enhancing the township's livability index.
Significance for Urban India
Urban sustainability experts believe this model could become significant for fast-growing urban regions around Mumbai, Pune, and other Indian metros. Townships are increasingly competing not just on amenities and branding but also on environmental performance and long-term quality of life. Developers claim the project may eventually serve as a benchmark for future climate-resilient residential townships across India.
