As Indian cities continue to experience rising temperatures and frequent heatwaves, the Government of India has intensified efforts to mitigate the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect through climate-responsive urban planning, green infrastructure, and scientific assessments. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) informed the Rajya Sabha that multiple initiatives are being implemented in collaboration with State Governments and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) to reduce heat stress and enhance urban resilience.
Urban planning is a State subject under the 12th Schedule of the Constitution. However, the Central Government supports States by issuing guidelines, advisories, technical assistance, and financial support to strengthen sustainable urban planning practices.
Heat Action Plans Expanded Across the Country
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued the National Guidelines for Preparation of Action Plan – Prevention and Management of Heat Wave in 2019. Following these guidelines, Heat Action Plans (HAPs) have now been prepared by:
- 23 States
- 195 Districts
- 64 Cities
These plans require cities to identify vulnerable areas affected by the Urban Heat Island effect and incorporate appropriate mitigation measures into local planning strategies.
In addition, NDMA has released a dedicated advisory for protecting informal workers during heatwaves. The advisory recommends shaded vending zones, hydration facilities, cooling centres, flexible working hours, and timely heat alerts for street vendors and outdoor workers.
Delhi Identified as a Major Climate Vulnerability Hotspot
According to inputs shared by the Government of NCT of Delhi, the revised Delhi State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC 2.0) identifies increasing heatwaves as one of the city’s most significant climate risks.
Climate projections indicate:
- Summer maximum temperatures could rise by 1.5°C under SSP2-4.5.
- Temperatures may increase by up to 2.1°C under SSP5-8.5 by mid-century.
- South Delhi has been identified as the most climate-vulnerable district.
To address these challenges, Delhi plans to expand cool roofs, cooling corridors, green infrastructure, wetlands restoration, storm-water management, heat-health surveillance systems, and public awareness programmes.
India Cooling Action Plan Supports Sustainable Cooling
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change’s India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP) provides a long-term roadmap to reduce cooling demand, improve energy efficiency, and promote sustainable cooling technologies. The initiative aims to improve thermal comfort while delivering environmental and socio-economic benefits.
Urban Green Infrastructure Expanded Under AMRUT
The Government highlighted significant progress under the AMRUT and AMRUT 2.0 missions in improving urban green infrastructure.
Key achievements include:
- 4,171 park projects approved covering 18,168 acres, with 3,458 parks already developed.
- 2,960 waterbody projects approved covering approximately 1.21 lakh acres, with 1,104 projects completed.
- 346 green mobility projects completed, creating 473 km of pedestrian pathways and cycling tracks.
- Installation of 99 lakh LED streetlights, resulting in annual savings of 665 crore kWh of electricity and reducing 46 lakh tonnes of CO₂ emissions.
- Plantation of 7.65 lakh saplings during 2025–26 under the AMRUT MITRA – Women for Trees initiative.
Heat Resilient Cities Pilot Launched in 12 Cities
Under AMRUT 2.0, MoHUA has launched the pilot programme “Building Heat Resilient Cities: A Strategic Pilot for Urban India” in 12 cities:
- Bengaluru
- Bhopal
- Dehradun
- Ghaziabad
- Gwalior
- Gurugram
- Guwahati
- Jodhpur
- Ludhiana
- Nashik
- Vadodara
- Visakhapatnam
The programme will scientifically assess the causes of urban heat stress, identify heat-vulnerable zones, and recommend city-specific interventions such as urban greening, passive cooling strategies, water-sensitive planning, and climate-resilient urban development.
States Encouraged Through Capital Investment Scheme
The Centre has also incentivised States under the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SSASCI) between 2022 and 2025 to promote climate-sensitive urban planning. Supported interventions include sponge city planning, urban forests, conservation of water bodies, green and blue infrastructure, and strengthening natural ecosystems to reduce urban heat stress.
The information was provided by Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Shri Manohar Lal in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
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