BHUBANESWAR, SEPTEMBER 1: Odisha Lok Bhavan in Bhubaneswar has achieved a major milestone in sustainable public infrastructure by securing the Platinum certification under the Indian Green Building Council’s (IGBC) Green Campus Rating System.With a score of 88 out of 100, the Odisha Lok Bhavan has emerged as the country’s first Lok Bhavan to receive the prestigious IGBC Platinum certification, placing the Governor’s official campus among the highest-rated green institutional campuses under the system.The certification was formally received by Odisha Governor Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati from IGBC National Chairman C. Shekhar Reddy at a programme held at the New Abhishek Hall of Lok Bhavan on Tuesday.The recognition reflects a series of sustainability measures implemented across the campus, covering green landscaping, renewable energy, resource conservation, cleaner mobility and environmentally responsible practices.Addressing the media after receiving the certification, Governor Kambhampati described the achievement as a matter of pride for Odisha. He said the Platinum rating was the result of collective efforts to transform Lok Bhavan into a more environmentally responsible and sustainable campus.According to the Governor, the certification acknowledges several initiatives undertaken at Lok Bhavan, including increased greenery, generation and use of clean energy and adoption of electric vehicles.He said recommendations made during the green-certification process were systematically implemented by the Lok Bhavan authorities, ultimately helping the campus secure the highest level of recognition under the IGBC rating framework.Solar Power ExpansionRenewable energy has emerged as one of the key pillars of Lok Bhavan’s green transformation. The campus currently has a 635 kWp solar power system, significantly strengthening its clean-energy capacity.Governor Kambhampati called for wider adoption of rooftop solar systems in homes and institutions, stressing that India has considerable solar-energy potential.He pointed to the country’s abundant sunshine and said greater utilisation of solar power could help accelerate the transition towards cleaner energy.The Governor also indicated that Lok Bhavan could explore additional renewable-energy solutions, including the installation of a small wind turbine, to further diversify clean-energy generation within the campus.Fully Electric CarcadeLok Bhavan has also taken a significant step towards sustainable mobility by adopting a fully electric carcade for the Governor.The initiative is aimed at reducing dependence on conventional fossil-fuel-powered vehicles and strengthening the institution’s commitment to cleaner transportation.The move, along with the campus’s renewable-energy initiatives, adds another important dimension to its green-campus model.Universities Urged to Lead Green MovementGovernor Kambhampati also called upon universities across Odisha to pursue green certification and make environmental sustainability a stronger part of institutional life.He emphasised that universities can play an important role in creating long-term environmental awareness among young people. With thousands of students graduating every year, he said, they could become effective ambassadors for environmental protection and sustainable living.The Governor said the green message should not remain confined to the Lok Bhavan campus but should reach institutions and communities across the state.Puri Lok Bhavan to FollowThe green initiative is also expected to extend to the Odisha Lok Bhavan campus in Puri.According to the plans outlined at the event, steps will be taken to pursue green certification for the Puri campus. As an initial measure, a 100-kW solar power plant has been proposed there.The initiative comes amid a broader shift towards renewable energy in Odisha and across India, with solar and wind power increasingly becoming important components of the clean-energy transition.Green Governance Gets Policy PushLaw, Works and Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan said the Governor’s commitment to environmental protection had been translated into concrete action through the green transformation of Lok Bhavan.He described the Platinum certification as a matter of pride for Odisha and said the achievement could encourage government departments to incorporate sustainability measures while planning and developing public buildings in the future.Senior government officials, including Energy Department Additional Chief Secretary Vishal Kumar Dev, Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department Principal Secretary Bhaskar Jyoti Sharma, Governor’s Commissioner-cum-Secretary Dr Rupa Roshan Sahu, university vice-chancellors, senior IGBC officials and media representatives attended the programme.The Platinum certification places Odisha Lok Bhavan at the forefront of the state’s efforts to integrate renewable energy, clean mobility and environmental sustainability into public administration and institutional infrastructure.
