With Delhi witnessing an intense heatwave, the Delhi Government has stepped up relief measures across the capital through Mobile Heat Relief Units and specially created cooling zones aimed at helping commuters, labourers, rickshaw pullers, and other vulnerable groups struggling in the extreme weather.
Led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the initiative is being carried out across all 13 districts of Delhi under the supervision of Revenue Department. According to government data, nearly 2.65 lakh people received assistance between May 6 and May 23 through the mobile relief units deployed in different parts of the city.
As part of the drive, around 1.13 lakh litres of cold drinking water and more than one lakh ORS packets were distributed to help people avoid dehydration and heatstroke. The teams also distributed 44,646 gamchas (cotton towels) and 30,864 caps to protect people from the harsh sun.
“The objective of the Delhi Government is not only to run the administration but also to ensure the safety and convenience of every citizen. During this period of extreme heat, the government is working on the ground with full sensitivity so that no person suffers because of the heat,” the Chief Minister said.
She added, “Initiatives such as mobile heat relief units and cooling zones reflect the government’s spirit of public service and humanitarian approach. The Delhi Government is continuously monitoring the situation, and relief arrangements will be further strengthened as required.”
Officials said the locations of the mobile heat relief units are being changed daily to ensure that relief reaches crowded areas and people most affected by the heat. The campaign is expected to continue till July.
To provide people with temporary shelter from the scorching temperatures, the government has also set up 14 cooling zones in different districts of the capital. These centres are equipped with seating arrangements for up to 100 people, cold drinking water, desert coolers, high-speed fans, ORS packets, caps, gamchas, and first-aid kits.
Civil Defence volunteers have also been deployed at each cooling zone to assist visitors and manage operations. At present, five cooling zones are operational in Old Delhi, five in East Delhi, and one each in Northeast, North, Central North, and Central districts. Similar facilities are expected to be launched in the remaining districts later this week.
“In a metropolitan city like Delhi, where even a glass of cold water is often not easily available to people, these initiatives launched by the government are providing real relief,” the Chief Minister said.
She further added, “The public response to these arrangements has been extremely positive, and the government remains fully committed to protecting citizens from heatwave conditions.”
