Maharashtra Government focuses on solutions for extreme heat- CM Devendra Fadnavis

Mumbai, April 22: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said rising temperatures, shortage of water, and unseasonal hailstorms have hit small and marginal farmers the hardest. He called for structured heatwave interventions and revealed Maharashtra’s energy roadmap: 52% renewable by 2030, 65% non-conventional by 2035, and 16,000 MW solar power for farmers.

Maharashtra Chief Minister on Monday launched a Centre of Excellence for Heat Resilience and Sustainable Cooling at IIM Nagpur, as part of a state-wide push to tackle extreme heat and climate change.

The centre, inaugurated virtually from Mumbai, will help draft and implement heat action plans, train officials and healthcare workers, and promote affordable cooling technologies. It will eventually function under the proposed ₹184-crore State Institute of Disaster Management (SIDM) at MIHAN, Nagpur.

The Chief Minister also flagged rising air-conditioner usage and said an effective Heat Action Plan would promote eco-friendly construction and sustainable cooling practices.

The centre is a partnership between IIM Nagpur and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). NRDC president Manish Bapna said the initiative puts Nagpur on the global climate resilience map.

Officials said the centre will initially review existing urban climate strategies and provide technical support to selected cities and districts. It will focus on reducing heat stress, improving energy efficiency, and aiding urban planning for central Indian cities like Nagpur, where temperatures often cross 45°C.