5 Telangana buildings get India prestigious Green Apple Awards for first time

India’s commitment towards protecting the environment received global recognition as five landmark buildings in Telangana have been declared winners of the International Green Apple Awards for Beautiful Buildings. These awards have been given under the Urban and Real Estate Sector 2023 category for promoting best environmental practices.

Interestingly, this was the first time that any building structure from India was getting this award.

Constructed from 1933-35 during the reign of Mir Osman Ali Khan, the Moazzam Jahi market is made of granite. Featuring arches and a central dome, its Osmanian architecture is distinctive while drawing from Asaf Jahi, Qutb Shahi, Kakatiya and Mughal forms, it is intended to convey secularism. It won the award in the heritage category for excellent restoration and reuse.

Durgam Cheruvu Bridge, in Hyderabad is the longest concrete deck cable bridge in the world. It has been constructed with the assistance of 52 external cables and this 438-metre-long bridge connects Jubilee Hills with the Financial District.

The award for aesthetically designed office or workplace was bagged by the recently-inaugurated Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Telangana State Secretariat building. Adhering to all Green Building Council norms, it has been built in Indo-Saracenic style and also blends Indo-Islamic architectural features like domes.

The Telangana State Police Integrated Command and Control Centre won the award in the unique office category. This 20-storey green building in Hyderabad has a glass façade, uses natural light, reducing the energy consumption by 50 per cent while using rooftop solar panels to generate power. Recycled material was used to make the building in which no wood was used.

The award in the category of excellent religious structures category was given to the revamped Yadagirigutta Narasimha Swamy temple in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district. The entire temple was renovated with the Krishna sila or black stone.

These awards are run by the Green Organisation – an independent, international, non-political, non-profit environmental group which is based in London and dedicated to recognising, rewarding and promoting environmental best practice around the world.

Winners of the award in the past include buildings like the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) in London, the National Museum of Qatar, and Jalan Mahkota in Kuantan, Malaysia.

Arvind Kumar, the MA & UD Special Chief Secretary will receive the awards in a ceremony to be held in London on June 16.