Delhi govt rolls out mobile heat relief units for all districts

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday flagged off 13 Mobile Heat Relief Units from the Delhi Secretariat while releasing a booklet ‘Heat Action Plan 2026’ listing ways to tackle rising temperatures. The move aims to provide immediate assistance to people, especially those who have to spend time outdoors under the sun amid the heat wave during the extreme summer.

Gupta said her government is taking comprehensive people-centric measures to deal with the heat wave, ensuring citizens receive timely relief and protection.

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The heat relief units, to be deployed in thirteen districts, will cover different parts of those districts. They will supply cold and clean drinking water, ORS packets, first-aid support, Gamchas (cotton stoles) and caps to people in need. Each unit is equipped with a cold water tank (up to 500 litres), first-aid kits, ORS distribution facilities and other essential relief materials needed during the extreme summer season.

These units will operate daily from 11 am to 6 pm in high-footfall and heat-prone areas such as labour chowks, bus stands, markets, slum clusters and other vulnerable locations across the city.

In addition, 10 Civil Defence volunteers have been deployed in every district to support the operation of these units over the next three months.
In every district, the government expects to distribute around 1,000 ORS packets, 300 cotton towels and 200 caps daily.

Addressing the gathering, Gupta said the government’s aim is not merely to announce schemes, but to ensure relief reaches people directly on the ground.

According to the CM, this year’s Heat Action Plan was implemented with extensive preparation and coordination, keeping every section of society in mind, with a special emphasis on protecting vulnerable groups like the daily wage labourers, construction workers, street vendors, homeless, senior citizens, women and children.
Cabinet Ministers Manjinder Singh Sirsa and Ravinder Indraj Singh, along with several senior officials were present on the occasion.

The government also issued special guidelines for outdoor and construction workers. The public, as well as private institutions have been advised to halt outdoor labour activities between 1 pm and 4 pm and ensure adequate rest breaks during peak heat hours.
To safeguard children from heat and dehydration, the government introduced a ‘Water Bell System’ in schools to encourage students to drink water at regular intervals.

Outdoor activities and school assemblies during peak afternoon hours have also been suspended. The CM added that hospitals and health centres across the city have made special arrangements for patients suffering from heatstroke and dehydration.

More than 339 health centres in the national capital have been stocked with additional ORS packs, ice packs and essential medicines, while dedicated ‘cool rooms’ also set up.
Gupta urged people to stay hydrated, avoid unnecessary exposure to direct sunlight and seek assistance from the Mobile Heat Relief Units through the 112 helpline whenever required.