The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) detailed its approach to climate-resilient urban development and heatwave management in response to a Rajya Sabha query. Urban planning falls under State Governments and Urban Local Bodies as per the 12th Schedule of the Constitution, with the central government providing schematic interventions, advisories, guidelines, financial assistance, and technical support.
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has formulated 'National Guidelines for Preparation of Action Plan-Prevention and Management of Heat Wave' in 2019, requiring cities to conduct vulnerability assessments and include mitigation measures in Heat Action Plans (HAPs). These plans have been implemented across 23 states, 195 districts, and 64 cities. NDMA also issued an advisory on "Protecting Informal Workers during Heatwaves in Indian Cities" recommending shaded vending zones, hydration facilities, cooling centers, flexible working hours, and heat alert dissemination.
MoHUA promotes climate-responsive development through Urban Green Guidelines 2014 and Urban and Regional Development Plans Formulation and Implementation (URDPFI) Guidelines 2014, which encourage compact green urban development, green infrastructure, urban forests, water body conservation, and shaded public spaces. The URDPFI Guidelines specifically encourage climate-responsive planning, energy-efficient building design, and environmentally sustainable development practices.
Under PMAY-U (Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Urban), a Technology Sub-Mission was established to facilitate adoption of modern, innovative and green technologies and building materials. This has evolved into the Technology & Innovation Sub-Mission (TISM) that supports innovative design, construction practices, quality assurance, and green building standards for sustainable housing. Projects encourage resource-efficient, climate-responsive, disaster-resilient and eco-friendly materials and technologies.
The India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP) released by Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change provides an integrated vision for sustainable cooling across sectors. For the transport sector, it includes adoption of Energy Conservation Building Code norms in new and existing public transport infrastructure, promotion of R&D for low Global Warming Potential refrigerants and energy efficient Mobile Air-Conditioning systems, upskilling of service technicians, and environmentally sound management of refrigerants.
Implementation of cool roof measures, green building provisions, and related building regulations remains with State Governments/Urban Local Bodies in accordance with local planning and building bye-laws, as urban planning and development are State subjects.