In a bid to help residents cope with intensifying summer heat, the Jaipur Municipal Corporation (JMC), in partnership with the Mahila Housing Trust, has set up Jaipur’s first net-zero cooling station on VT Road near City Park.
Designed as a public shelter for pedestrians and outdoor workers enduring temperatures around 40°C, the station uses solar energy, khus curtains, mist sprinklers and a wind-tower ventilation system to reduce the interior temperature by roughly 5-6°C without relying on air conditioning.
Open daily from 7 AM to 5:30 PM, the facility can seat about 30 people and provides drinking water, ORS and basic first aid. Officials say the pilot project primarily aims to support gig workers, street vendors, drivers, delivery personnel and senior citizens who spend long hours outdoors, while demonstrating how climate-responsive infrastructure can address the growing risks of extreme heat in Indian cities.
Jaipur Experiments With Climate-Responsive Cooling
At first glance, the modest structure on Jaipur’s VT Road may appear like an ordinary public shelter. But step inside on a sweltering afternoon and the difference is instantly noticeable. While the temperature outside can cross 40°C during peak summer, the interior of the station feels significantly cooler nearly five to six degrees lower despite having no air-conditioning units or conventional cooling systems.
The secret lies in a blend of traditional materials and smart architectural design. Solar panels installed on the roof power the lighting, fans and an automated sprinkler system, allowing the facility to operate independently of the conventional electricity grid.
Every few minutes, a fine mist sprays over khus (vetiver grass) curtains placed around the structure. As hot air flows through these damp curtains, evaporative cooling lowers the temperature before the air enters the shelter.
The cooling effect is further enhanced by khus panels lining the walls, which help maintain cooler indoor conditions. Above the structure, a wind tower pushes hot air upward and out, allowing fresh air to circulate inside the space. This simple but effective ventilation system ensures continuous airflow without mechanical cooling devices.
Beyond thermal comfort, the cooling station also functions as a small public health support centre during heatwaves. It provides drinking water, oral rehydration solution (ORS) and a basic first-aid kit to help people recover from heat exhaustion.
Officials say the station can accommodate about 30 people at a time and has quickly begun attracting pedestrians, bus passengers and daily wage workers seeking respite during the hottest hours of the day.
According to civic authorities, the project was conceptualised keeping in mind the city’s most vulnerable residents particularly those who work outdoors for long hours. Municipal officials have noted that the initiative aims to provide “a safe and accessible shelter from extreme heat” for urban poor communities and the general public alike.
Cities Confront Intensifying Heatwaves
Jaipur’s experiment with net-zero cooling infrastructure reflects a broader challenge confronting Indian cities: how to adapt to rising temperatures without dramatically increasing energy demand. Over the past decade, many urban centres have witnessed a steady rise in heat stress days, driven by rapid urbanisation, dense construction patterns and declining green cover.
Traditionally, air conditioning has been the default solution for cooling indoor spaces. However, widespread dependence on AC units also increases electricity consumption and carbon emissions, contributing further to the climate crisis. Experts warn that if current trends continue, the demand for cooling energy in cities like Jaipur could rise sharply over the next decade, placing additional pressure on power infrastructure.
This is where passive cooling solutions like Jaipur’s net-zero cooling station are gaining attention. By combining renewable energy with traditional materials and architectural techniques, such systems provide relief from heat without increasing energy use. Urban planners increasingly view these small, decentralised interventions as crucial for creating “cooling equity”, ensuring that access to thermal comfort is not limited to those who can afford air-conditioning.
Importantly, the cooling station has been built as a pilot project, which means its success could pave the way for similar installations across the city. Experts believe such structures can be particularly effective at high-footfall urban locations such as bus stops, markets and transit corridors places where pedestrians and informal workers are most exposed to heat.
Other cities have also begun experimenting with comparable solutions. Ahmedabad, for instance, has introduced “cool bus stops” designed to provide shade and thermal comfort to thousands of commuters daily. These initiatives signal a broader shift in urban planning: moving away from energy-heavy cooling systems toward climate-responsive design rooted in local materials and knowledge.
Still, experts caution that isolated pilot projects alone will not be enough. To truly protect citizens from extreme heat, such solutions must be integrated into city planning frameworks and scaled across neighbourhoods particularly in areas with dense populations and limited access to green spaces.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
As climate change reshapes the way we experience our cities, initiatives like Jaipur’s net-zero cooling station remind us that innovation does not always require complex technology sometimes it simply means rethinking how we design everyday spaces. By combining solar energy, traditional materials and thoughtful architecture, the project offers a glimpse of how sustainable infrastructure can also be compassionate and inclusive.
More importantly, it centres the needs of those who are often overlooked in conversations about climate resilience delivery workers, street vendors, drivers and daily wage labourers who spend hours under the blazing sun to keep urban life functioning. For them, a shaded and cooled public space can mean the difference between exhaustion and relief, or even between safety and serious health risks during a heatwave.
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