Mira Road society slashes power bills from Rs 52k to Rs 18k, wins global recognition

A 30-year-old housing society in Mira Road, Thane, has become a model for how older buildings can be transformed into climate-friendly spaces, as the Nav Yuwan Housing Society, home to 280 families, has slashed its electricity bills by nearly two-thirds and earned global recognition after adopting a series of energy- and water-saving measures.

As per a report by The Times of India, the initiative, led by the nonprofit Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH), has made Nav Yuwan the first housing complex in Asia to receive the prestigious EDGE Advanced green building certification, a recognition developed by the International Finance Corporation, a World Bank Group member.

“Our monthly bill, which was around Rs 52,000, is now down to Rs 18,000,” TOI quoted Rahim Karovalia, 52, a managing committee member, as saying. Karovalia demonstrated the motion-sensor tubelight that dims and brightens based on movement.

What looks like a simple light fixture is part of a larger effort that has cut the society’s power use significantly. In October last year, the community installed 150 motion-sensor lights across corridors and staircases, 14 high-efficiency floodlights in parking areas, a 44-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system on rooftops, and even began a kitchen garden. A composting unit is also being planned to handle waste and support urban farming.

These retrofits save 41% of energy, 35% of water, and a 59% improvement in material efficiency, along with a reduction of 232.78 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per year.

Beyond the numbers, residents are experiencing direct benefits. Families are paying less for household electricity as well, with the distribution of energy-efficient appliances. Parvin Jasani, 64, said that her monthly bill dropped from Rs 1,800 to Rs 1,000. “We never thought small changes like these could make such a big difference,” she asserted.

The project also challenges the idea that climate action requires demolishing old structures or building new ‘green’ developments from scratch. Retrofitting existing housing, experts say, can cut carbon emissions by up to 70% compared to new construction.

"Green retrofits improve thermal comfort, lower energy demand, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and extend the life of existing buildings. The Nav Yuwan pilot is a proof-of-concept for Climate Action Plan interventions on energy and water efficiency in residential sector and institutional buildings. It shows how practical, low-cost interventions can deliver meaningful measurable outcomes and improve resilience, without the need for new construction,” TOI quoted Prerana Langa, CEO of AKAH, India, as saying.

This success also ties into broader city goals. Earlier this year, the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation and AKAH launched the Mira Bhayandar Climate Action Plan (MB CAP) 2024-2050, which targets a 36% cut in emissions by 2047. Since the residential sector alone accounts for over 60% of the city’s electricity use, projects like Nav Yuwan are crucial in meeting those targets.

Also, the initiative has combined infrastructure upgrades with awareness campaigns. Residents attended workshops where they learned about the benefits of high-star appliances, efficient use of air conditioners, and small behaviour shifts like opting for bucket baths over showers. “Most of us never realised that holding on to old appliances actually costs more in the long run,” said Anisha Maknojiya, 48.

The project cost each household about Rs 17,500, an amount that residents say is already paying off through reduced bills. The success has sparked interest from other housing societies in Mira Bhayandar, with many keen to replicate the model. AKAH has also extended retrofits to three municipal schools, showing the idea’s adaptability.

CEO Langa said that scaling up is possible if such models are linked with municipal budgets, corporate social responsibility funds, and community financing. Bulk procurement of appliances and linking retrofits with regular maintenance cycles can also bring down costs, making adoption easier for other communities.