Amid rising urban heat stress in Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation is preparing to introduce a pilot project aimed at reducing indoor temperatures in civic buildings through the use of solar reflective coating. The initiative, scheduled for rollout this summer, will initially cover municipal structures in the G/South ward.
The project will involve applying a specialised white coating, commonly known as ‘solar reflective paint’ or ‘cool roof paint’, on rooftops. The coating is designed to reflect sunlight and limit heat absorption, thereby lowering indoor temperatures.
According to civic officials, the paint contains compounds such as titanium dioxide, which help deflect infrared radiation from sunlight. By preventing heat from penetrating the building surface, the method is expected to reduce internal temperatures by around five percent.
“The solar reflective paint has higher upfront costs compared to normal paint and generally, the paint is applied to the top-most layer of a structure to reflect the heat from the sunlight. By preventing penetration of the rays, the paint is believed to reduce temperatures within the building by nearly five percent. While the mechanism is more popular in cities like Ahmedabad and is also implemented in industrial structures, this is the first time that BMC is launching a pilot project of such a kind,” said an official.
The move comes as Mumbai faces increasing challenges related to heat, especially during peak summer months. By adopting this approach, the civic body aims to improve thermal comfort inside buildings while also reducing dependence on cooling systems.
If the pilot proves effective, officials may consider expanding the use of cool roof technology across more municipal properties, positioning it as part of a broader strategy to enhance climate resilience and manage the impacts of rising temperatures in the city.
Source: The Indian Express
