India, May 18 -- The transport department will appoint civil defence volunteers as "jaldoots" at 1,500 bus queue shelters (BQS) in Delhi by next week, Transport Minister Pankaj Singh said on Saturday. These trained personnel will provide clean drinking water.

Officials said that the tenders for fixing water coolers at bus depots were also announced on Saturday. There are 4,575 bus queue shelters, of which more than 1,500 need to be repaired as well, the minister said.

"We have decided on the summer action plan elements that the transport department needs to take care of, and things will be in place starting next week. The jaldoots will be at BQS throughout the day and will help people with water and shade," said Singh.

The minister add...