The Delhi Government on Friday announced that it will be opening 100 new night shelters across the Capital over the next few days, with a view to provide relief to the homeless.
Urban Development Minister Manish Sisodia said the Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) who had been asked to calculate the number of homeless in the city had found 4,018 persons sleeping in the open at 212 locations.
“At some places, the SDMs found more than 100 homeless... at some places, 30-40 people, while at many others, they found 15 to 20 people who were without shelter,” Mr. Sisodia said.
“Of these 212 locations, we have found that we need to provide shelters at 100 places,” he added.
The Minister said some of the new shelters will be bigger than others and accommodate 100 to 300 people. These shelters will be located near hospitals, railway stations and bus terminals.
“Small night shelters, to house up to 100 homeless, and others accommodating 30 to 40 persons will be developed at the remaining locations. These night shelters will soon be constructed,” Mr. Sisodia said, adding that porta cabins would be put up in two to three days.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had on Wednesday directed all SDMs in the Capital to conduct night-time inspections in their respective areas to ensure that the existing shelters were being run properly.
The SDMs had also been asked to prepare a list of areas where night shelters are required on a priority basis within three days.
Following the recent decision to survey 45 locations identified by the NGO Ashray Adhikar Abhiyan, Mr. Sisodia said shelters would be put at many of those sites.
“After the government’s announcement, a large number of NGOs have come forward to develop the night shelters for the homeless in the city,” he added.