Pune: The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) was felicitated as Platinum Existing Green Cities by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) recently for its significant achievements in green sustainable development. 

Pimpri Chinchwad Commissioner S Shekhar Singh was honoured by Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Urban Development Shri Aseem Gupta in a program held in Pune on Friday, June 7.

The recognition and awards were presented during the "Abhinandan 2024" program held at Hyatt Hotel, Pune Nagar Road.

Pimpri Chinchwad was proudly recognized as the second greenest city in Maharashtra by the IGBC under its prestigious Green City Rating System and was also awarded the IGBC Green Cities ' Platinum ' plaque by the CII IGBC, the civic administration said.

The IGBC Platinum rating is awarded by CII's IGBC based on 'Green master planning, strategic initiatives and evaluation of various interventions for implementation of green infrastructure over the last two decades'.

Speaking in the seminar on Green City during the inaugural session, Principal Secretary Shri Aseem Gupta said, “As a Commissioner, I have worked in Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation before, Commissioner Shekhar Singh is doing excellent work for the environment-friendly city and creating a distinct identity for this ideal city.”

PCMC Commissioner Shekhar Singh said, "Pimpri Chinchwad's recognition as a Green City is a proud moment for all of us. Our endeavours are to promote sustainable practices, reduce carbon footprint and increase green cover. By restoring water resources, we are moving towards a clean, green and healthy city. This award will inspire other cities to follow in our collective journey towards net-zero emissions."

 C. Shekhar Reddy, National Vice President, IGBC, said, “IGBC envisions a future where green buildings are not only known to the developer but also to the common man. They should know how to ensure the preservation of these buildings. Recognizing our natural resources as a green city for our generation and future generations is an important step towards realizing this vision. Pimpri Chinchwad's recognition as a Green City is not only a testament to the city's ongoing sustainability efforts but also a reflection of the spirit of collaboration between local industries, government agencies and the community.

He said the city's journey towards becoming a green city is an inspiring model for other urban centres aiming to balance development with environmental conservation.

Shri Sanjay Kirloskar, President, Kirloskar Brothers Limited, said that industries in Pimpri Chinchwad have always been at the forefront of adopting sustainable practices. This reinforces our identity as a Green City and reinforces our commitment to the environment. “We are proud to be part of a community that actively works for a greener future,” he said.

Shri Pradeep Bhargava, President, Greenco, said Pimpri Chinchwad's Green City recognition is a remarkable achievement that reflects the combined efforts of the community, industry and government. It highlights the importance of sustainability in urban development as an example for other cities, stated a press release.