Launched In April, Summer Plan Inactive In Peak Heat
New Delhi: The Delhi Heat Action Plan 2025 was released in April with much fanfare and featured measures like placing 3,000 water coolers in public spaces, altering timings of construction sites to avoid peak heat between noon and 4pm and sending cautionary SMS alerts to citizens.
But even as the mercury has soared, the steps meant to minimise the impact on people are yet to be implemented.
Some parts of the city have recorded three consecutive heatwave days. India Meteorological Department has issued a 'red alert' for heatwave conditions in many places for Thursday. There's a 'yellow' alert for Friday too. In April, several areas similarly recorded 3-5 heatwave days.
After the heat action plan was launched, against the announcement that 3,000 water coolers would be placed across the city and eco-friendly bus stop shelters with green roofs would be established, the water coolers have been placed at just around 20 sites and the eco-friendly bus stop shelters aren't visible.
Availability of shade/shelters, drinking water, ORS packets, etc., at bus and auto stands and construction sites has been partly achieved.
The plan to reschedule the working hours of outdoor workers to avoid peak heat hasn't been put into practice yet. Also the use of school premises as daytime shelters to help the outdoor workers and the homeless avoid heat is yet to be implemented.
Also unmet are the measures announced to protect stray animals, cattle and poultry birds from the blazing sun.
However, experts said sheds and drinking water for cattle and poultry in villages and at important junctions are still to be operationalised. The heat action plan had also proposed establishing cooling facilities in areas with high population density, particularly near pavements and informal settlements.
Govt officials claimed to have circulated the heat action plan, which lists roles and responsibilities of agencies and individuals, to all departments involved.
"Delhi Disaster Management Authority disseminated weather forecasts and advisories regularly and also communicated heat advisories to hawkers' associations, vendors and gig workers," said one official. "Apart from issuing two circulars on how to prevent heat-related illnesses, the education department conducted training for teachers from govt and govt-aided schools.
Delhi Fire Service procured 33 additional water bowsers, each of capacity 12,000 litres, to use during the summer, while DUSIB directed all shelter management agencies to ensure drinking water, coolers and fans in all shelters.
All hospitals reported adequate quantities of essential medicines."
The official added that water machines had been installed in Delhi Secretariat and at Nehru Place and five others would be placed soon. "A study on five prototypes of cool roof solutions in three slum settlements is under way. Five parks, among them Nehru Park, Lodhi Garden and Sanjay Van, have been designated to absorb more carbon dioxide," the official added.
Avinash Chanchal, deputy programme director, Greenpeace South Asia, said that though the people of Delhi were once again facing a brutal summer, govt's response hadn't changed much. "Govt made many promises, but action on the ground remains invisible. It was encouraging to see Delhi govt announce a heat action plan in April, but that plan is only meaningful if it's implemented," said Chanchal. "The promise of 3,000 water ATMs has not materialised, hospitals are unprepared and communities, especially outdoor workers and other vulnerable populations, have been left to cope on their own.
No voice or text alerts have been issued to warn the public about heatwaves."
Chanchal added that the current plan lacked a dedicated budget and legal binding. "Delhi govt must recognise heat as a state disaster, just as a few other states have done, and roll out a robust, well-funded and accountable plan without delay," he said.
Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, Research and Advocacy, Centre for Science and Environment, said the 2025 heat action plan outlined several short-term and long-term energy efficiency and cooling strategies.
"But these require a time-bound implementation plan with clear milestones and targets for each municipal ward for it to be monitorable. Delhi requires much stronger on-ground preparedness and preventive measures to reduce health risks during heat episodes like the one the city is experiencing right now," she said.
She added, "The roadmap needs to detail the infrastructure-level interventions to achieve cooler buildings, expanded forests/green areas and water bodies, shading of public spaces and commuting corridors, reduction in waste heat from combustion sources, and thermal comfort for all, especially different categories of low-income groups. Heat management requires actionable targets with a strong monitoring and compliance strategy.
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