In line with the revenue department's recent initiative to establish heatwave relief centers across Odisha, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) inaugurated an eco-friendly cool rest room at Kalpana Square on Friday. This facility aims to provide respite to residents and commuters from the scorching summer heat.
Design and Features of the Cool Rest Room
The rest room is constructed using natural vetiver grass walls and is powered by solar energy. It is designed as a cooling shelter for commuters and the public exposed to extreme temperatures. BMC officials stated that the rest room is equipped with automatic misting and water sprinklers to keep the vetiver grass continuously moist, which naturally lowers the temperature. The system operates like drip irrigation, while ceiling fans circulate the cool mist inside.
Spread over an area of 20 feet by 10 feet, the rest room will function round the clock. A security guard will be deployed at the site. According to BMC additional commissioner Kailash Chandra Dash, the shelter is expected to benefit people waiting for buses to Puri as well as city bus passengers, as Kalpana Square is one of the busiest transit points in the capital.
Comparison with Existing Facilities
While rest sheds have already been created at bus stops by the Capital Region Urban Transport, officials noted that those facilities have not been effective enough in providing relief during peak summer conditions. The new vetiver-based structure is considered a more practical and climate-sensitive alternative.
Dash added that the BMC is exploring the possibility of establishing similar facilities at two more locations. Additionally, to reduce heat in Salia Sahi, the city's largest slum, roofs of some houses have been painted with white enamel paint, which can reduce heat radiation by up to 2 degrees Celsius.
Additional Initiatives for Sanitary Workers
Apart from the public cooling shelter, the civic body has opened three multi-purpose rest rooms, one in each of its three zones, for sanitary workers. These facilities will serve as attendance points and resting spaces during work hours. Drinking water arrangements have also been made so that workers can sit and recover during leisure time or after prolonged exposure to the sun.
Context and Future Plans
This initiative comes at a time when the revenue department has prioritized the creation of heatwave relief centers in locations that frequently report heat-related cases and record high temperatures throughout summer. Currently, no dedicated heatwave relief centers exist anywhere in the state.
