As Vijayawada sizzles, motorists demand shade nets to stay cool

Vijayawada: Vijayawada is sweltering under record temperatures, with citizens, particularly motorists, facing the brunt of the harsh weather. The absence of shaded structures and inadequate tree cover along the city's roads has made commuting a challenging task.
With the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting temperatures above 40°C, potentially reaching 44°C and beyond, which is categorised as ‘Danger' under the Heat Index (HI), citizens are urging authorities to take immediate action.
The demand is to erect green shade nets at traffic junctions, especially along the Kolkata-Chennai National Highway 16, which includes key junctions like Benz Circle, Maha Nadu Junction, and Ramavarappadu Ring. Commuters are also requesting shade nets at traffic junctions along MG Road and Eluru Road.
"While cities in neighboring states, with relatively lower temperatures, are installing water mist sprayers, green shade nets, and opening AC restrooms to provide relief to people, Vijayawada has not made similar arrangements. The Vijayawada Municipal Corporation's (VMC) summer action plan focuses on providing drinking water through kiosks, repairing borewells, and supplying water through tankers, but it lacks provisions for erecting shade nets," said Hari, an IT professional who hails from Vijayawada and works in Chennai.
Another resident, Srinivasulu, who works as a daily wage labourer and frequently commutes in an auto rickshaw to deliver goods to retailers in the city, shared that daytime temperatures are peaking by 9 am, making it strenuous to work outdoors. He urged the concerned authorities to open cooling spaces in the city.
"Gig workers delivering food orders are hard hit by the spiralling temperatures. We toil on motorcycles through the city roads delivering orders, and there is no respite for us from the scorching heat," said Brahmaiah, a Swiggy delivery agent.