Thane: TMC Commissioner Saurabh Rao has directed officials to expand the city's green shade covers and temporary water facilities. The initiative aims to provide relief to pedestrians and commuters, particularly at major traffic junctions where heat exposure is highest.

So far, the TMC has installed 25 temporary water pitcher facilities in collaboration with NGOs, receiving strong public support. These facilities, introduced last year as part of the city’s Heat Action Plan, are especially beneficial to daily wage earners and passersby during peak heat hours. Commissioner Rao has called for their expansion through active public and NGO participation.

Similarly, green covers have been set up at six key locations, including Teen Haath Naka, Almeida Chowk, Khopat, and Nitin Company, to offer shade during long signal halts. Rao has instructed that similar shelters be installed at all signals with wait times exceeding 60 seconds.

The announcements came during a review meeting at TMC headquarters, where Rao assessed progress on various civic priorities including the state’s 100-day program, heatwave preparedness, cleanliness drives, and the e-office system.

With the monsoon approaching, Rao also reviewed readiness measures such as trimming dangerous tree branches, desilting nullahs, and advancing the pothole-free Thane campaign. He urged early inspection of areas prone to potholes and emphasized quick complaint resolution, ideally within 24 hours,  through coordinated departmental efforts.

Senior officials including Additional Commissioners, Sandeep Malvi and Prashant Rode, and heads of engineering, planning, and sanitation departments attended the meeting. The Commissioner stressed the need for innovation and proactive planning to ensure citizen safety and comfort.