Lucknow: In a major relief measure amid rising temperatures and severe heat wave conditions, the Lucknow Municipal Corporation has established special cooling points at Polytechnic Chauraha and Srishti Apartment on Kursi Road to provide respite to commuters, workers, and the general public.
The cooling points were inaugurated on Saturday by Sushma Kharkwal in the presence of Additional Municipal Commissioner Dr Arvind Kumar Rao and several local residents.
Speaking on the occasion, Mayor Sushma Kharkwal said the initiative has been launched to protect citizens from the harsh impact of extreme summer heat and heat waves. She added that apart from Polytechnic Chauraha and Kursi Road, similar cooling points have also been set up at 1090 Chauraha and the Lalbagh Municipal Corporation headquarters.
The Mayor further informed that additional cooling points are being developed at several important locations across the city, including Gomti Nagar Patrakarpuram Chauraha, GST Bhawan, and GPO Vidhan Sabha Marg.
Each cooling point has been equipped with essential facilities such as beds, sofas, chairs, fans, coolers, earthen pots filled with cold drinking water, and jaggery for visitors, ensuring immediate comfort to people battling the scorching heat.
Dr Arvind Kumar Rao explained that the structures have been designed using eco-friendly materials like मिट्टी (mud) and jute, which naturally help maintain lower indoor temperatures. The specially designed mud walls and roofing keep the interiors cool even during peak afternoon heat, providing a naturally air-cooled environment for visitors.
In addition to the cooling points, the Municipal Corporation has also upgraded 24 existing night shelters across various city zones to make them heat-wave friendly. While these shelters already had bedding arrangements, they now also provide access to clean and chilled drinking water. Residents can rest at these shelters during the hottest hours of the day to avoid heat-related illnesses.
The Mayor also stated that, with the support of the Jal Kal Department, more than 150 hydration points have been established across Lucknow city under temporary canopies. These centres provide clean drinking water stored in earthen pots, benefiting pedestrians, labourers, rickshaw pullers, and roadside workers who spend long hours outdoors.
The initiative is being seen as a proactive step by the Lucknow Municipal Corporation to tackle the growing impact of extreme summer conditions while promoting eco-friendly and community-oriented urban solutions.
