Gurgaon’s Rs 5-Crore plan to tackle urban heat is set to bring a range of climate-adaptation measures to one of India’s hottest urban centres. The Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) to address the growing impact of extreme heat and the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect, a phenomenon in which urban areas experience significantly higher temperatures than surrounding rural regions.

Gurugram, where summer temperatures routinely cross 45°C, is among 12 cities selected under the Centre’s ‘Heat Resilient Cities’ initiative as part of the AMRUT 2.0 reforms. Each city will receive a Rs 5 crore grant from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) to implement locally tailored heat-resilience measures over a period of 15 months.

Why Gurugram Was Selected

The Heat Resilient Cities program was launched by MoHUA in March 2026 to help cities become more climate-responsive, inclusive, and resilient to rising temperatures through evidence-based planning and on-ground interventions.

The initiative focuses on reducing:

• Heat-related health risks
• Economic losses caused by extreme heat
• Urban heat island impacts
• Climate-related vulnerabilities among residents

Particular attention will be given to vulnerable groups such as informal workers, senior citizens, and low-income communities, who are often the most affected during heatwaves.

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What Measures Will Be Implemented?

Under the MoU, experts will first conduct detailed heat mapping across Gurugram to identify areas where temperatures consistently exceed normal levels. Socially and economically vulnerable populations will also be assessed to understand where interventions are most needed.

The project includes several climate adaptation measures.

Key Components of the Heat Resilience Plan

Officials said the city will also explore innovation-based interventions designed to reduce temperatures in heat-prone areas and improve overall urban comfort.

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Building a Long-Term Heat Resilience Framework

A major outcome of the program will be the development of a comprehensive City Heat Resilience Action Plan tailored specifically to Gurugram’s climate and urban conditions. The project will also create a long-term City Heat Resilience Framework to guide future planning, infrastructure development, and policy decisions.

Importantly, all interventions will be scientifically evaluated so that successful approaches can be replicated in other cities facing similar challenges.

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A 15-Month Climate Adaptation Mission

The project will be implemented in phases over 15 months, with MCG required to periodically submit progress reports, impact assessments, and utilization certificates to NIUA and MoHUA.

Officials believe Gurgaon’s Rs 5-crore plan to tackle urban heat could significantly improve the city’s preparedness for climate change while enhancing the quality of life for residents. As temperatures continue to rise across urban India, the initiative represents one of the country’s first structured efforts to combine heat mapping, cooling infrastructure, water conservation, and climate-responsive planning under a single city-level program.

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