The BJP government in Delhi to roll out summer action plan on Monday.
| Photo Credit: File photo

Amid early spells of intense heat with temperatures surpassing 40 degrees Celsius in Delhi, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government is set to announce this year’s heat action plan on Monday.

The plan will include deploying cool roof technology at high footfall areas besides creating ‘cool rooms’ in government hospitals, a senior official told The Hindu.

The cool roof technology works by applying reflective materials such as solar-reflective paint or tiles on rooftops that will result in deflection of solar radiation. According to the official, the government plans to install cool roofs at two major Inter-State Bus Terminals (ISBTs) — Kashmere Gate and Anand Vihar — and the Delhi Secretariat.

While United Nations Environment Programme will install cool roofs at the ISBTs, RMI India Foundation will implement it at the Delhi Secretariat.

“Cool roofs are expected to reduce indoor temperatures by 2-3 degrees Celsius,” the official said, adding that this will also reduce consumption of electricity and air pollution levels.

Besides a digital cold water dispenser will be installed at the Delhi Secretariat. It will display water quality and real-time temperature. The water cooler, equipped with Wi-Fi connectivity and a 400-litre overhead tank, can function even without a direct water supply. “It [water dispenser] can be monitored through a central dashboard, which will help maintain a quality supply of cold water,” said a source. The government plans to introduce this system at other locations such as ISBTs and other high footfall areas.

Cool rooms in hospitals

Similar to those already operational in Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital, a Central government facility, cool rooms will be set up in Delhi government hospitals. These rooms will help reduce the body temperature of a heatstroke victim. The RML Hospital has a ‘heatstroke room’, which is equipped with a tub filled with ice and cold water. Heatstroke patients can immerse themselves in the tub. The government plans to install a similar technology in all its hospitals. Besides, a Chief Heat Officer will be appointed along with district-level nodal officers to coordinate heat response measures.