The Delhi government has rolled out a comprehensive Heat Action Plan for 2025, positioning itself as a frontrunner among Indian cities tackling the growing climate emergency.
Unveiled on Monday by the Chief Minister, the plan introduces a blend of early warning systems, infrastructure upgrades, and health-based interventions aimed at shielding the city’s most vulnerable from the escalating threat of extreme heat. The initiative also marks the official launch of cool roof pilot projects across three key locations — Kashmere Gate, Anand Vihar and the Delhi Secretariat — a technology designed to deflect solar radiation and reduce indoor temperatures significantly. The plan, designed by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority and the India Meteorological Department, recognises the disproportionate impact of heatwaves on low-income communities. These include slum settlements, informal housing clusters, construction sites, and other dense urban pockets that often suffer temperature extremes 4–5 degrees higher than average city readings. In a critical move towards inclusivity, the plan zeroes in on children, senior citizens, pregnant women, daily-wage earners, and street vendors — population segments most exposed to the blistering sun without access to cooling facilities. Addressing this, the government has promised the deployment of 3,000 water coolers across the city — evenly split between roadsides, government facilities, and underserved rural belts.
The move to install cooling shelters and shaded zones along footpaths, bus stops and public gathering spaces signals a long-overdue recognition of Delhi’s outdoor workforce, many of whom labour for hours without respite. The Chief Minister underscored the urgency of such measures, noting that not all citizens enjoy the privilege of climate-controlled environments. “Our cities must care for those who build them. Cool roofs and shaded walkways are not luxuries — they are the foundation of an equitable urban response to climate change,” he said. The capital’s health infrastructure is also being repurposed, with the Health Minister announcing that all government hospitals will now include specialised heatstroke wards. Additionally, CAT ambulances will be strategically stationed to ensure swift emergency care.
Further strengthening its preparedness, Delhi will activate an early heatwave alert system in coordination with the IMD, ensuring residents receive real-time temperature forecasts and advisories. Officials believe that timely alerts, if coupled with grassroots outreach, can save hundreds of lives. To that end, 1,800 centrally deputed ‘Aapda Mitra’ volunteers will act as local first responders, particularly in high-risk zones. These community-level disaster management personnel will support awareness campaigns, distribute water, and coordinate emergency care in coordination with civic agencies.
Environmentally, the capital’s heat plan lays the groundwork for large-scale deployment of cool roof and green roof technologies in both public and private buildings. These reflective surfaces have proven effective in reducing indoor heat by up to 5 degrees Celsius, lowering dependence on energy-intensive cooling appliances, and ultimately cutting urban emissions. The government has hinted at scaling up these pilot projects across all zones, especially in public institutions, schools, and high-density markets. Equally noteworthy is the inauguration of digital cold water dispensers at major transit hubs, which will be monitored and maintained by urban development departments in partnership with civil society groups.
As climate change intensifies and Indian cities grapple with urban heat stress, Delhi’s multi-pronged approach may offer a viable blueprint for inclusive, science-backed, and sustainability-led governance. While implementation remains a challenge in a city of 20 million, the acknowledgement of heat as a public health emergency and the move towards adaptive infrastructure could well place Delhi on a path toward long-term resilience. In a time where heatwaves are not just seasonal but systemic threats, Delhi’s response marks a step in the right direction — both human and ecological.
Also Read :https://urbanacres.in/kolkata-heat-rises-despite-light-rains/
Delhi launches cool roof and warning systems to combat deadly summer heatwaves
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