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Odisha Opens Eco-Friendly Cool Rest Rooms for Summer
16 May
Summary
- Environment-friendly cool rest room opened in Bhubaneswar for public.
- Facility uses vetiver grass walls and solar power for cooling.
- Sanitary workers receive dedicated multi-purpose rest rooms.
Bhubaneswar has introduced an innovative, eco-friendly cool rest room at Kalpana Square, designed to offer relief from the intense summer heat. This novel structure features walls made of natural vetiver grass and operates on solar energy. Its automatic misting and sprinkler system maintains the vetiver's moisture, naturally reducing the ambient temperature, complemented by ceiling fans circulating cool mist.
The 20 ft by 10 ft shelter operates around the clock and is expected to benefit numerous commuters at Kalpana Square, a busy transit hub. This initiative surpasses previous less effective rest sheds at bus stops, offering a more climate-sensitive solution. The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) is considering similar facilities at two additional locations.
To further combat urban heat, the BMC has also implemented a pilot project in Salia Sahi, painting the roofs of some houses white to reduce heat radiation by an estimated 2°C. In parallel, three multi-purpose rest rooms have been established for sanitary workers across the city's zones, serving as attendance points and resting spaces equipped with drinking water.
This series of measures aligns with the revenue department's broader plan to establish heatwave relief centers statewide, addressing the current lack of dedicated facilities for handling heat-related emergencies across Odisha.
