Delhi Heatwave: 25 bus shelters to get cold water dispensers

With peak summer approaching, the Delhi government’s transport department is set to install ‘smart water dispensers’ at 25 bus queue shelters and 16 bus terminals across the city.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta recently unveiled an ‘annual heat action plan’, which includes the provision of cold drinking water at bus stops and the creation of cool roof shelters for commuters.

As part of a pilot project, the smart dispensers will supply RO-filtered clean and chilled drinking water, with the capacity to deliver 100 litres per hour and up to 800 litres per day overall.

The dispensers will be fitted with AI-powered cameras to monitor footfall, feeding real-time data to help determine whether the facility should be expanded to more locations.

According to the proposal, each dispenser will feature a waterproof digital screen and will be connected to a central dashboard for remote monitoring. They will also have a public announcement system, enabling authorities to broadcast alerts about heatwaves and other essential information.

Tenders for both projects have been issued. The cost of installing the 7-foot-high dispensers at bus queue shelters is estimated at Rs 2.10 crore, while the installations at bus terminals will cost Rs 72 lakh.

The work is expected to be completed within the next 30 days.

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Last week, Transport Minister Pankaj Singh chaired a meeting with department officials to finalise the plans.

“Ensuring access to clean drinking water is a fundamental necessity, especially during the peak summer months. By installing RO systems at our depots, we are taking a concrete step towards prioritising the well-being of our hardworking staff and daily commuters. This initiative underscores our commitment to building a humane and responsive public transport system,” Singh said following the meeting.

(With inputs from PTI)