Delhi: Number of night shelters for the homeless rises to 34

New Delhi: As part of its efforts to provide shelter to homeless families in this freezing cold, the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) has increased the number of family night shelters to 34 and has also set up a night shelter specifically for lactating mothers. [caption id=“attachment_2037061” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. Reuters[/caption] “During inspections it was noticed that at some places homeless were not utilizing the nearby Night-shelters as the families wanted to be together. Hence, concerted efforts have been made to open 30 new night shelters for the families. “It was noticed that some of the homeless continue to live under the flyovers and hence it was decided that for one month tents shall be provided under the flyovers for the homeless,” said Chief Executive Officer of DUSIB Amar Nath. Nath said that in order to streamline the management of night shelters and mitigate the problems faced by homeless during winter this year, DUSIB has implemented the concept of shelter management agency (SMA). A cluster of around 25 contiguous night shelters each, have been awarded to shelter management agency (SMAs) through open bidding process. Service level standards and performance standards have been prescribed for the shelter management agency to ensure accountability and desired performance. Penalty has been prescribed for parameters like not maintaining cleanliness and non-reporting of number of homeless on roads. A total Rs 13 Crores has been sanctioned by the Delhi Lt Governor for night shelters during the last one month and more than 257 night shelters are functional as on date. “A multi-pronged approach in coordination with the various Departments of Delhi government, Delhi Police, NGOs has been adopted. Officers of DUSIB including field officers are regularly going on night vigils and inspections to review the facilities in the shelters and to identify locations where homeless are still present,” said Nath. Nath said that it has been noticed during night vigils that some homeless inspite of best efforts stay outside with the hope of getting donated blankets, which generally are sold by them later. The city reported death of two homeless yesterday with national capital reeling under severe cold wave. A 30-year-old man was found dead near a night shelter in Fatehpuri, while the death of a 85-year-old man was reported from Polli Kothi area in Lahori Gate, police said. In this regard, LG appealed through newspaper urging citizens to donate blankets and woollens at night shelters only. PTI