"A major priority is enhancing climate resilience by formulating integrated flood and rescue management strategies and implementing urban heat mitigation measures such as cool-roof solutions to combat the urban heat effect across corporation buildings," Commissioner Sameeran told DT Next.

"The proposal includes establishing a widespread network of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at strategic locations across the city in a PPP model and installing rooftop solar panels across administrative complexes and Chennai Schools," he said. "Additionally, the collaboration aims to upgrade GCC's public health centres and hospitals to world-class health infrastructure with advanced technical support for long-term emergency readiness."

Beyond environmental and public health initiatives, the discussion also touched upon improving economic sustainability by exploring asset monetisation strategies wherein revenue could be increased by improving the usage of underutilised lands and buildings.

Also, technical and viability gap funding for GCC projects, technical assistance for the circular economy, and the future of Chennai public health systems were discussed with the World Bank team, added Sameeran.