The news report, ‘Green nets at city squares: Relief measure or another half-planned civic experiment?’ published in CityLine on May11, rightly highlights both the necessity and poor execution of this initiative by the civic body. There is no doubt that such heat-relief measures are urgently needed in Nagpur. With temperatures crossing 45° C every summer, two-wheeler and four-wheeler commuters are forced to stop at traffic signals for 60 to 120 seconds in unbearable heat. Ironically, in today’s hi-tech era, many traffic signals in the city are still not properly synchronised, unnecessarily increasing waiting time and commuter discomfort. The idea of providing shade at major junctions is therefore welcome. However, the implementation this year has been absolutely pathetic. The agency entrusted with the work appears inexperienced and incompetent.

 

The bamboo structures erected to support the green nets look extremely shaky and unsafe, posing a serious threat to motorists and pedestrians alike. What is even more worrying is the apparent absence of proper supervision by NMC engineers and officials after awarding the contract. Quality and public safety seem to have been completely compromised. At several junctions, free left-turn lanes have been blocked to erect support structures. This has resulted in unnecessary congestion, overcrowding at signals, and even longer waiting times in sweltering heat, defeating the very purpose of the project. I also recall that a few years ago, an enterprising young professional who had returned from the USA had proposed a well-designed concept for permanent shaded structures at major squares.

 

Despite having a working prototype, he reportedly ran from pillar to post between NMC and PWD offices without success - for reasons citizens can easily understand. Nagpur requires a permanent, scientifically designed and aesthetically planned solution for heat protection at traffic junctions. Summers will return every year with increasing intensity due to climate change, and taxpayers’ money should not be wasted repeatedly on such temporary and poorly executed experiments, much like the annual temporary arrangements made during Winter Session of the State Legislature. The city deserves long-term planning, accountability, and quality execution rather than seasonal cosmetic measures.