Around 2.6 lakh people received assistance under Delhi govt's heat action plan: CM Gupta

The Delhi government has provided relief to approximately 2.65 lakh people and distributed essential items through mobile heat relief units during the ongoing heatwave.

The Delhi government has provided relief to approximately 2.65 lakh people between May 6 and May 23, through mobile heat relief units, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Monday.

Amid the continuing heatwave conditions in Delhi, Gupta said special arrangements have been made through Mobile Heat Relief Units and cooling zones across the capital to protect citizens, labourers, commuters and needy people from the intense heat.

''The objective of government is not only to run administration but also to ensure the safety and convenience of every citizen. During this period of extreme heat, the government is working on the ground with full sensitivity so that no person suffers because of the heat,'' the chief minister said.

In the same time period, around 1,13,900 litres of cold drinking water was distributed along with 44,646 gamchas and 30,864 caps to protect people from heatstroke.

''Under this campaign more than one lakh ORS packets were distributed to help people avoid heatstroke,'' Gupta said in a statement.

According to the chief minister, it has also been ensured that the locations of the mobile units are changed daily so that relief can reach more crowded areas and needy people.

''At present, five 'cooling zones' have been established in the Old Delhi district, one in the North-East district, one in the North district, five in the East district, one in the Central North district and one in the Central district, taking the total number to 14,'' she said.

Similar facilities are also being started in the remaining districts this week. This campaign will continue till the month of July.

She further informed that special these zones have also been established in various districts of the capital, where people are being provided facilities to rest for some time and obtain relief from the heat.

''The zones have been set up especially keeping in mind the needs of citizens, rickshaw pullers, labourers and people working in the open,'' she added.

Each zone has seating arrangements for 100 people, cold drinking water, five desert coolers and five high-speed fans to provide a comfortable environment, officials added.

She said that the Delhi government is continuously monitoring the situation and relief arrangements will be further strengthened as required.