Field workers get cool vest jackets

In order to safeguard Delhi’s frontline workers from intensifying heat wave, Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Parvesh Verma on Friday distributed cool vest jackets among construction labourers, traffic police and PWD field staff. This initiative is being undertaken under the Delhi Heat Action Plan – Anticipatory Action Response.

The programme, implemented in collaboration with ADRA India, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), aims to protect construction labourers, traffic police and PWD field staff from the extreme heat.

Speaking at the launch event in Central Delhi, Verma emphasised the government’s responsibility to protect those who build and serve the city. “Those who stand under the open sky are the real backbone of the city. Anticipatory action means we don’t wait for tragedy, we prevent it. The cool vest jacket is not just a piece of gear, it is our promise to care for those who care for Delhi every single day,” he said.

It is pertinent to mention here that Delhi experienced its longest and most severe heat wave in over a decade in 2024, with India recording over 44,000 heatstroke cases. Heat waves, often called as “silent killers”, pose grave health risks to outdoor workers without leaving visible damage.

The cool vest jacket comes equipped with battery-operated dual fans, an ice collar that can lower surface body temperature by up to 15°C and abrasion-resistant, lightweight fabric designed for long working hours. The jackets are currently being rolled out through a pilot programme, with field testing to be conducted by ADRA India, NDMA and DDMA to assess performance and feasibility for city-wide expansion.

The jacket launch is part of a wider climate resilience effort, which includes hydration kits, early warning systems in heat-prone areas, climate education in schools and targeted outreach to informal sector workers. Verma underlined that these steps reflect the government’s shift toward preventive, compassionate governance.

“This is more than protection from heat. It’s the protection of dignity, of life and of those who serve our city silently every day,” said Verma, closing the event with an appeal for public support and awareness on climate safety.

Delhi