The Delhi government on Monday announced a number of measures such as mandatory rest breaks for outdoor workers during peak afternoon hours and provision for cold drinking water in all Delhi Transport Corporation buses to mitigate the impact of heatwave-like conditions in the national capital. Other steps include free water and oral rehydration solution (ORS) counters near bus shelters and fresh guidelines for Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) schools.
The city recorded a maximum temperature of 42.3 degrees Celsius on Monday, with peak power demand touching 7,078 MW at 3.30 p.m., crossing the 7,000 MW mark earlier than in the previous two years. CM Rekha Gupta said all offices in Delhi have been advised to provide rest to workers between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. and prevent them from working in direct sunlight.
“It will also be the responsibility of employers to arrange water, shade, and other essential facilities for them,” read a statement from her Office. In a related development, MCD Standing Committee chairperson Satya Sharma wrote to Commissioner Sanjeev Khirwar, requesting special arrangements to safeguard the health and safety of the civic body’s field staff.
L-G Taranjit Singh Sandhu chaired a meeting with department heads over the issue. In a post on X, he stated, “District Magistrates have been asked to take a lead role in execution, with special focus on safeguarding vulnerable groups, including women, children, the elderly, and labourers.”
