As the city continues to reel under intense heat with temperatures soaring above 40 degrees Celsius, Jabalpur Municipal Corporation (JMC) has failed to put in place relief measures that it had offered in previous years. In earlier summers, JMC used to install large green shade nets at major squares and crossings across the city. These nets provided much-needed shelter to commuters, particularly two-wheeler riders who have to wait at traffic signals in the scorching sun. The civic body had also deployed fog cannons at important squares to spray a fine mist of water along main roads, giving relief to citizens from the heat. But this year, none of these arrangements have been made. Despite the mercury crossed 45 degrees, the JMC shown no interest in reviving these measures. The fog cannons are not new purchases.

 

JMC had earlier bought several units and even fabricated one using its own resources. These machines serve a dual purpose, providing heat relief to citizens and controlling air pollution by settling airborne dust particles, thereby improving the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI). However, as peak summer draws to a close, these machines remain unused and idle. The citizens, especially those who spend long hours outdoors, are bearing the brunt of the heat wave. The shade nets and fog cannons had become a visible symbol of the civic body's care for its residents in past years. This year, their absence has not gone unnoticed. Citizens are left wondering why a Municipal Corporation that owns the equipment has chosen not to use it.