How Green Buildings Are Shaping India's Sustainable Urban Future

In a detailed conversation with Homes India magazine, Minal Srinivasan, Managing Director of Kesari Infrabuild Pvt. Ltd., offers insights into India’s sustainable urban development journey, examining the rise of green building adoption, the practical challenges involved, and the long-term outlook for the sector.

Minal is a visionary entrepreneur, seasoned business leader, and advocate for sustainability. She has carved a unique path in the environmental infrastructure sector. As the Managing Director of KIPL, she has been instrumental in transforming the company from an emerging enterprise into one of India’s top 10 environmental consultancy firms.

1. In what ways has India's need for sustainable urban development and green buildings changed in recent years?

In just the past five years, India’s sustainable urban development needs have intensified as rapid urbanization has increased challenges such as rising pollution, energy shortages, and resource depletion, making green buildings in India an urgent priority. Living in one of India’s rapidly growing cities, I’ve seen how increasing population density and environmental pressures have pushed urban areas to adopt eco-friendly practices and formal green building standards in India set by IGBC, GRIHA, LEED, EDGE, and GEM.

Both large and small cities across the country are experiencing a rapid rise in green-certified developments, supported by public policies that reflect a nationwide commitment to urban sustainability in India and environmental responsibility.

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2. How financially feasible are green buildings in India compared to traditional construction?

The perception that sustainable construction in India is expensive is changing rapidly. While initial capital expenditure for green buildings may be higher by around 3 to 5 percent, the return comes through reduced energy and water use, lower operating costs, and enhanced asset value. Over a building’s lifecycle, operational savings from green buildings can range between 20 and 30 percent.

Financial feasibility is further strengthened by green financing in India, premium rebates, expedited approvals, and additional FSI incentives for green buildings, leading to higher occupancy, better rentals, and improved resale value.

3. What motivates developers and investors to adopt sustainable construction practices?

The push toward ESG real estate in India, government incentives, and corporate sustainability goals is reshaping investment priorities. For investors, sustainable urban infrastructure in India aligns with global capital flows focused on climate responsibility. For developers, it delivers long-term value through lower operating costs, tenant preference, and brand strength. Incentives such as faster approvals, premium rebates, and additional FSI further accelerate adoption of green building certification systems.

4. How is Kesari Infrabuild addressing challenges in green project execution?

Implementing green building practices in India presents challenges, from upfront costs to technical expertise. At Kesari Infrabuild, sustainability is embedded across compliance, certification, and execution. Services span IGBC, GRIHA, LEED, and EDGE facilitation, net-zero strategies, audits, commissioning, and turnkey environmental infrastructure such as STPs, WTPs, ETPs, organic waste converters, and water conservation systems.

Our work in biodiversity parks, Miyawaki plantations, and tree transplantation ensures sustainability delivers measurable environmental and financial outcomes.

Smart buildings in India are redefining sustainability through passive cooling, optimized fenestration, treated sewage reuse, rainwater harvesting, and waste-to-compost systems. Integration of renewable energy in real estate, including rooftop solar and energy storage, reduces dependency on utilities while improving resilience.

5. How are technologies shaping economic and environmental sustainability?

Smart buildings in India are redefining sustainability through passive cooling, optimized fenestration, treated sewage reuse, rainwater harvesting, and waste-to-compost systems. Integration of renewable energy in real estate, including rooftop solar and energy storage, reduces dependency on utilities while improving resilience. Sustainable building materials in India and climate-responsive design further reduce embodied carbon and extend building lifecycles.

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6. What does India’s sustainable urban future look like?

Over the next decade, India’s sustainable cities will evolve through integrated planning where green buildings, renewable energy, water conservation, and smart urban planning operate as a unified system. Metros such as Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi NCR will lead due to regulatory momentum, while Pune, Ahmedabad, and Lucknow will emerge through sustainability-first master planning. Sustainability will no longer be optional—it will define the future of urban development in India.