‘Crossover County’, a flagship project of city- based Darode Jog Properties on Sinhagad Road has received five star eco-housing rating from the Science and Technology Park, Pune. Municipal Commissioner Mahesh Zagade handed over the certificate to Sudhir Darode and Anand Jog, directors of the Darode Jog Properties at a recently held function at Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). Director general of Science and Technology Park Rajendra Jagdale and city engineer Prashant Waghmare were also present. PMC had introduced the eco-housing certification program last year to promote the adoption of environment-friendly practices, use of energy-efficient products and sustainable techniques by the builders and developers. PMC is the first municipal corporation in India to initiate such environment-related program for residential projects. The criteria for eco– housing has been developed by Science and Technology Park, a Govt. of India Institution, jointly with the International Institute for Energy Conservation and The Energy Resource Institute of New Delhi with technical assistance form the United States Agency for International Development.

The criteria to award rating consist of various measures like site planning, environment architecture, efficient building materials, energy efficient lighting, solar water heaters, water conservation, segregation and disposal of waste and any other innovative technologies. Each initiative has some points, which are considered for awarding the rating. Out of the total 1,000 points a minimum of 500 points are required to qualify for eco-housing certification with one star. Five stars is the top-most rating, where a project earns more than 800 points.