New Delhi: In April this year, Delhi’s inaugural heat action plan was unveiled, aiming to mitigate the severe impacts of extreme heat on the city’s populace.
The plan proposed a range of measures, including ensuring the availability of shade and drinking water at bus and auto stands, providing oral rehydration solution (ORS) packets, offering proper shade for traffic police, using non-functional schools as shelters, and altering the timings for outdoor workers to minimise exposure to intense heat.
Despite these comprehensive proposals, experts have criticised the inadequate implementation of the plan. As Delhi grapples with temperatures soaring around 50 degrees Celsius, the promised measures have largely remained unexecuted. The absence of a dedicated budget and specific, time-bound targets for establishing cooling centres and providing essential services to vulnerable communities have been highlighted as significant shortcomings.
An official from the municipal administration commented, “A heat action plan was issued in April with advisories to different departments outlining their roles and responsibilities. These departments are expected to implement the suggested measures based on feasibility. Each department has a budget that can be utilised for this purpose.” The official further added, “This plan is a pioneering effort for Delhi. It serves as a foundational document that can be refined and improved upon in future iterations.”
However, on-ground realities paint a different picture. Despite the advisories, there has been minimal visible action to shield residents from the blistering heat. Many bus stands and auto rickshaw stands lack adequate shade and drinking water facilities. The much-needed cooling centres in non-functional schools are yet to materialise, leaving vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and outdoor workers exposed to dangerous heat levels.
The traffic police, who spend long hours directing traffic under the scorching sun, continue to face health risks due to insufficient shade. Additionally, the timing adjustments for outdoor workers have not been uniformly implemented, exacerbating their risk of heat-related illnesses.
Experts argue that the heat action plan requires a dedicated budget and clear, enforceable targets to ensure its successful implementation. “While the plan is a step in the right direction, it needs to be backed by robust financial and administrative support. Without these, the measures will remain theoretical and fail to provide the intended relief to the city’s residents,” said an environmental policy expert.
As the city swelters under record-breaking temperatures, the urgency for effective implementation of the heat action plan cannot be overstated. The administration must prioritise converting the plan’s promises into actionable initiatives to safeguard public health. This includes setting up cooling centres, ensuring the availability of water and shade, and protecting the most vulnerable from the extreme heat.
