Editor Mr.Mayank Rawat ( Chief Editor Mr. Rohit Mishra )
New Delhi: As Delhi faces increasingly severe and prolonged summers, Delhi govt is preparing a comprehensive long-term strategy to mitigate the impact of extreme heat on its residents. Chief minister Rekha Gupta has instructed all govt agencies, including the civic body and Delhi Development Authority (DDA), to work together on the new plan, which focuses on systemic changes to city planning and infrastructure for long-term resilience.
The strategy includes issuing targeted heat alerts, mapping high-risk areas, and incorporating emergency response plans into the City Development Plan. A key proposal involves strengthening building standards. “New infrastructure will be required to incorporate passive ventilation systems, cool roof technologies, and be designed to maximise thermal comfort,” said a senior official. The govt has asked local bodies and land-owning agencies like DDA to incorporate the latest technologies in its plan, said a senior official.
Retrofitting existing structures, especially in heat-prone areas, will also be prioritised. Revised building bye-laws mandating these changes are expected soon. To protect the urban poor, Delhi govt plans to identify areas for shelters and shaded spaces across the city, particularly in slum settlements and densely populated zones. “Providing safe spaces where people can take shelter from the heat is crucial,” the official added.
The plan also emphasises incorporating indigenous knowledge systems. “Traditional cultural practices for coping with heat will be documented and included in awareness campaigns to build resilience among residents,” the official noted. Outreach programmes will educate the public on the health, livelihood, and productivity risks of extreme heat and ways to mitigate them.
In addition, Delhi govt will conduct research on Delhi’s micro-climate patterns and improve urban temperature monitoring. Policy interventions to revive natural ecosystems, such as parks and urban forests, will create cooling zones across the city. “Delhi needs systemic changes backed by research and community participation,” the official said.
Gupta has previously stated that temperatures in Delhi have reached up to 50°C, a serious public health threat. “When the heat becomes this intense, our preparations must be equally robust. Heatwaves are no longer just a weather condition, but a deadly crisis,” she emphasised. As part of the initiative, 3,000 water coolers will be installed across the city, and cooling shades will be built along footpaths. Govt and private buildings will adopt cool and green roof technologies.
Additionally, over 1.4 million students in more than 5,500 schools will be trained in heatwave preparedness.
Mayank Rawat
