Bhubaneswar Launches India’s First Heat and Cooling Action Plan
Why in the news
On 8 September 2025 Bhubaneswar became the first Indian city to launch an Integrated Heat and Cooling Action Plan (IHCAP) to deal with rising urban heat.
Key facts
- Bhubaneswar logged nearly 230 days of heat alerts in 2024.
- Between 2018 and 2024 vegetation fell by 10% and water bodies by 75%.
- Urban areas were 2-5 degrees C hotter than rural surroundings; air conditioner use rose from 6% of households (2021) to 15% (2023).
- Cooling demand could rise 7.6 times by 2050.
- Interventions could cut temperatures by 0.5 to 9.4 degrees C and reduce cooling electricity demand by 44 to 67%.
The five pillars of IHCAP
- Cool the city, through greenery, water bodies and cool roofs.
- Cool buildings, through energy-efficient codes.
- Sustainable cooling for all, with affordable options.
- Enhance heat resilience, by strengthening infrastructure.
- Adapt to heat, with alert systems, insurance and awareness.
Exam angle
- Remember Bhubaneswar as the first city with an IHCAP.
- Know the 230 heat-alert days and 75% water-body loss.
- Bhubaneswar is also among the top cities in the NARI 2025 women’s safety index, a handy cross-link.