Minister KTR launched Telangana Cool Roof Policy

“by 2030, 200 sq km in Hyderabad and 100 sq km in the rest of the state will be brought under cool roof”: KTR

Hyderabad (3rd April) : Telangana MAUD Minister K.T. Rama Rao launched the ‘Telangana Cool Roof Policy 2023-2028’ in Hyderabad on Monday. The minister talked about the benefits of the policy which aims to reduce heat island effect and heat stress.

KTR said the policy has long-term objectives that will be useful for future generations.

Telangana being the third most urbanized state in the country with nearly 50% of its population residing in urban areas, there is a dire need to introduce effective climate-friendly cooling solutions to counter the urban heat island effect. Telangana is the first state in the country to introduce the Cool Roof Policy and it is a right step towards tackling the climate challenges of the future. The policy encourages and promotes the use of cool roofs. These roofs reflect some of the Sun’s incoming radiation back into the atmosphere, reducing heat retention and cooling indoor spaces.

KTR said, “by 2030, 200 sq km in Hyderabad and 100 sq km in the rest of the state will be brought under cool roof”. In comparison, the target set by New York was to cover 1 million square feet, or 0.1 square kilometers. Further, he said that the area under the Outer Ring Road was more than 1000 sq km and around 20% of the area inside the ORR would be brought under the cool roof. The minister said that the ambition of the state government is to implement it in government housing schemes, government offices, roads, footpaths and cycle tracks.

On this occasion, KTR urged the builders and persons constructing buildings to take it up. Cool roofing can be implemented by using paint, tile, or other materials to reflect sunlight. It can be retrofitted to existing buildings. Recalling his interactions with representatives of tiles and paint companies, KTR said that people can recover their investment in cool roofing within two years in terms of energy savings and others.

KTR said that Telangana was the first state to adopt the Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) in 2014, the state government implemented Haritha Haram and encouraged the use of energy efficient machines and systems. Along with this, the minister asked the officials to encourage urban farming and roof top kitchen.