Telangana state has launched the Cool Roof Policy, making it the first state in the country to introduce the initiative. The policy aims to reduce the impact of the urban heat island and decrease energy consumption. The state's Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development, K.T. Rama Rao, popularly known as KTR launched the policy with the vision of creating a more thermally comfortable and heat-resilient state. The policy is effective from 1 April 2023 and has been incorporated into building permission applications. The Cool Roof Policy suggests using cool roofs to build resilience against extreme heat. Cool roofs are mandatory for all government, government-owned, non-residential, and commercial buildings regardless of site or built-up area. Occupancy certificates will only be issued after compliance with the policy is ensured. Cool roof application is mandatory for residential buildings with a plot area of 600 square yards or more. For buildings with plot areas of less than 600 square yards, it is optional.
