Delhi cooling zone opens near Jama Masjid Metro Station amid heatwave
Synopsis
As Delhi's heatwave intensifies, CM Rekha Gupta has opened a permanent cooling zone near Jama Masjid Metro Station — one of the city's busiest spots — capable of sheltering 70-80 people at a time, with cold water and ORS on tap. More such facilities are being planned across high-footfall areas of the capital.
Key Takeaways
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta inaugurated a cooling zone near Jama Masjid Metro Station on 9 May 2025 .
The facility can seat 70 to 80 people at a time and provides cold drinking water and ORS-mixed water .
It is a permanent relief facility , separate from mobile heat relief vehicles already operating in the city.
The initiative targets vulnerable groups including rickshaw pullers , labourers , senior citizens , and tourists in Old Delhi .
Officials have been directed to identify additional high-footfall areas across Delhi for similar cooling zones.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday, 9 May announced the inauguration of a dedicated cooling zone near Jama Masjid Metro Station in Old Delhi, offering heat relief to commuters, tourists, and daily-wage workers as temperatures continue to rise across the capital. The facility is part of the Delhi government's Heatwave Action Plan, which officials say is being implemented with heightened urgency this season.
What the Cooling Zone Offers
The facility can accommodate 70 to 80 people at a time and provides shaded seating, cold drinking water through water coolers, and ORS-mixed water to prevent heatstroke and dehydration. It has been set up as a permanent relief facility, distinct from the mobile heat relief vehicles already deployed across the city. Access is open to all — including rickshaw pullers, labourers, senior citizens, and tourists.
Why Old Delhi Was Prioritised
Chief Minister Gupta noted that densely populated localities such as Old Delhi are particularly vulnerable during extreme heat events, given the high footfall at markets, religious sites, and tourist hubs throughout the summer months. The Jama Masjid precinct — one of the city's busiest public spaces — was identified as a priority location by the Old Delhi District administration. This comes amid a broader pattern of Indian cities facing intensifying urban heat islands, with Delhi recording some of its hottest May temperatures in recent years.
Government's Multi-Layered Heatwave Strategy
Gupta said the administration is pursuing a multi-pronged approach that includes district-level relief measures, improved access to drinking water, public awareness campaigns, and targeted interventions in sensitive areas. All concerned departments have been directed to remain on high alert as temperatures are expected to rise further in the coming days. Officials have also been instructed to identify other high-footfall areas across the capital where similar cooling zones can be established.
Public Advisory
The Chief Minister appealed to residents to avoid stepping out during peak afternoon hours, drink sufficient water, and utilise the government's relief facilities wherever available. "Our priority is to ensure that no one suffers discomfort during this difficult summer period," Gupta said. With more such facilities expected to come up across Delhi, the administration's focus appears to be on converting policy intent into ground-level infrastructure before the peak of summer arrives.
Point of View
Low-cost intervention — but the real question is scale. Old Delhi's Jama Masjid precinct is one node in a city of millions, and with Delhi's urban heat island effect worsening each year, a handful of permanent shelters will not be enough. The government's instruction to identify more high-footfall sites is the right instinct, but execution speed and maintenance quality will determine whether this becomes a genuine relief network or a one-day photo opportunity. Notably, the announcement comes as Delhi's political leadership under CM Gupta is keen to demonstrate administrative responsiveness — making it both a welfare measure and a visibility exercise.
NationPress
10 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cooling zone set up near Jama Masjid Metro Station in Delhi?
It is a permanent public relief facility inaugurated by Delhi CM Rekha Gupta on 9 May 2025, offering shaded seating for 70 to 80 people, cold drinking water, and ORS-mixed water to protect against heatstroke and dehydration during the ongoing heatwave.
Who can use the Delhi cooling zone near Jama Masjid?
The facility is open to all members of the public, with a particular focus on commuters, tourists, rickshaw pullers, labourers, and senior citizens who are most exposed to extreme heat in the Old Delhi area.
How is this cooling zone different from mobile heat relief vehicles?
Unlike mobile heat relief vehicles that move across the city, the Jama Masjid cooling zone is a fixed, permanent facility set up by the Old Delhi District administration, designed to provide continuous, on-site relief throughout the summer season.
Will more cooling zones be set up across Delhi?
Yes, CM Rekha Gupta has directed officials to identify other high-footfall areas across the capital — including markets, religious sites, and tourist hubs — where similar cooling facilities can be established as part of the city's Heatwave Action Plan.
What precautions has the Delhi government advised residents to take during the heatwave?
The government has advised residents to avoid going out during peak afternoon hours, drink sufficient water, and make use of the cooling zones and other relief facilities provided across the city. All departments have been placed on high alert as temperatures are expected to rise further.
