Nagpur’s heat wave is intensifying. With temperatures soaring past 42°C, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has revived its summer heat mitigation strategy. This includes a proposal for installing green shade nets at key traffic intersections.
The initiative, spearheaded by the traffic department, comes with a price tag of ₹65.07 lakh and will be discussed in the standing committee meeting scheduled for April 17. The goal? To provide relief to thousands of commuters enduring direct sunlight while waiting at busy junctions.
Last year, similar measures were taken during the sweltering summer of 2025, with installations at locations like Tukdoji Putla Square and Gandhi Putla Square. Back then, private decorators were hired, costing about ₹3 lakh per junction for a 45-day period. These green nets served as makeshift canopies that helped reduce heat stress for both motorists and pedestrians.
But not everything went smoothly. There were several incidents where the nets collapsed due to strong winds or unexpected weather changes. Safety concerns arose as commuters found themselves exposed during those moments. Officials now hope to improve upon this earlier design with sturdier installation methods to avoid such mishaps in future installs.
Shivani Dani Wakhare, chairperson of the standing committee, has also called for exploring sustainable options like solar rooftop structures at select squares. These could provide shade while generating renewable energy — a dual benefit worth considering.
Officials recognize that while these temporary shade solutions are helpful now, they’re not enough long-term fixes for worsening climate conditions each year. The upcoming decision from the committee will need to balance immediate needs against future infrastructure plans as Nagpur braces itself for another scorching summer ahead.
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