BMC rolls out measures to shield citizens from heat wave

Amid the blistering heatwave conditions, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has launched a series of citizen-friendly and eco-conscious initiatives across the city to provide relief from extreme summer temperatures.

As part of the initiative, specially-designed “Vana Chhera” curtain-based cooling bus queue shelters were inaugurated at 10 major bus stops in Bhubaneswar, including Rupali Square, Rasulgarh, Jayadev Vihar, Damana Square and Rajdhani College. The shelters use natural cooling methods, with water being sprinkled on the curtains three times daily to maintain lower temperatures inside and around the waiting areas. BMC officials said another 20 such cooling bus shelters would soon be installed across the city.

Advertisement

The inauguration programme near the BMC headquarters was attended by Bhubaneswar Central MLA Ananta Narayan Jena, Mayor Sulochana Das, Deputy Mayor Manjulata Kanhar and other senior civic officials.

To protect pedestrians from scorching heat and rain, permanent shade structures are also being built at major traffic junctions. Such facilities have already become operational at AG Square, while work is underway at Rupali Square and Power House Square.

The civic body has additionally opened two cooling rest centres at Kalpana Square and Fire Station Square using eco-friendly cooling techniques instead of air-conditioners. Around 40 solar-powered water kiosks have also been installed at crowded public locations to provide chilled drinking water while promoting renewable energy use.

The BMC has also arranged drinking water points for stray animals and birds across parks and public spaces. Bird nests are being installed on trees to provide shelter during the harsh summer.

Further, rooftop whitening coatings have been applied on several public buildings and housing projects to reduce indoor heat. Special heatstroke treatment arrangements have also been made at Capital Hospital and other BMC-run