Green Cleaning Mumbai International Airport’s Terminal 2

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GVK made its foray into the aviation sector when it bagged the mandate to operate, manage and develop the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA) in Mumbai.

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The iconic Terminal 2, developed by GVK Mumbai International Airport Private Limited (MIAL), equipped with world class technologies and infrastructure was built to cater to passenger traffic of 40 million passengers per annum (mppa), up from the earlier 30.03 mppa.

Clean India Journal visited Mumbai International Airport to find out more about green cleaning initiatives at the terminal.

Sustainability has been kept at the helm of all projects and initiatives that are undertaken at GVK’s Mumbai International Airport. As one of the fundamental infrastructure projects of the city and the country, the new Terminal 2 was conceived as a ‘green structure’ and has inculcated several environment-friendly initiatives into its operations since inception. Over the years, the airport operator has ensured that its ideology of sustainable living is unswervingly implemented by leveraging the latest energy-efficient technologies for the optimisation of energy and other requirements.

The airport recently became the proud recipient of Level 3+ Carbon Neutrality certification by Airports Council International (ACI), the global authority of international airports. The highest level of environmental achievement given to airports for contributing to the areas of GHG management, this certification assumes greater significance given CSIA is the busiest airport operating on a single runway.

CSIA, a LEED Platinum Certified edifice has implemented a unique environment-friendly initiative – the inclusion of Green Seal certified products, aimed specifically at the reduction of water uptake for cleansing and sanitation purposes. All green chemicals used across the terminal are GS-37 compliant (a grading for the chemicals wherein they are tested for 37 parameters to ensure they are harmless to human beings). GVK MIAL consumes a substantial quantity of the said chemicals which are procured in a concentrated form and then diluted. At present, there are different chemicals being used at the terminal with difference in dilution levels. A disinfectant has to carry out the job of disinfection; a surfactant has to serve the function of easing out dirt. Similarly, chemicals that provide glaze and polish have to give the required look and feel.

The green chemicals contain ammonia- feeding bacteria along with activating enzymes, which actively react with the uric acid commonly found in urinals, converting it to nitrogen, thus removing unpleasant odours effectively with no need for masking with artificial scents or room fresheners. Therefore, water is only utilised for manual cleaning, as the need to flush urinals after every use is done away with. Each flush utilizes almost 1.2 litres of water, leading to wastage of a resource that is scarce and limited.

A redoubtable step towards good corporate citizenship, this initiative helps in the conservation of 1 lakh litres of water on a daily basis. In keeping with its pedagogy of sustainability, MIAL in 2015-16 achieved a 48% reduction in water consumption per million pax as compared to 2013-14

In addition to this, the airport has also initiated the use of biological cleaning practices. Bacterial spores are used for both indoor air quality management as well as drain line management. The spores are in a suspended form as liquid, gel or aerosol. These spores are physically poured or sprayed so that all the suspended particles and those that are stuck on to surfaces are eliminated. This is done across all washrooms in the terminal building. The Bacillus spores are manufactured and sourced locally while the green chemicals are imported.

Through these initiatives GVK MIAL ensures that the health of each and every traveller is safeguarded, air quality maintained and surfaces free from contamination.