Highlighting the lack of shelters for the homeless in the city despite efforts by the State government, activists working in the area have demanded that “homeless citizens, especially in the West and North-West, be provided emergency night shelters to cope with the harsh winter .’’
Indu Prakash Singh, national convener, National Forum for Housing Rights, in his letter to L-G Najeeb Jung recently, said, “Shelters are missing from beneath flyovers. Most of the caretakers fall asleep at night after zipping up the tents and locking the gates.’’ He said that night vigils undertaken by members of the forum have brought many issues to the fore, primarily the dearth of shelters for the homeless .
“The shelter in Sultanpuri has a leaking from the roof. Also government banners outside shelters falsely announce that geysers and TVs are being provided. Delhi is getting very cold at night and there are a large number of children, women, disabled, elderly, and families on the streets who need protection. We urge the government to act swiftly and at least provide them with very basic (tent) as a night shelter,’’ he said .
