The Times of India 12.12.2010
Civic body plans night shelter for homeless
SURAT: With a view to provide shelter to homeless migrants and labourers in the night hours, Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) plans to start 'Renbasera' project.
A survey conducted by the civic body two years ago revealed that there were over 30,000 homeless labourers, who do not have place to sleep at night. They were forced to take shelter on roadside pavements and public gardens.
Official sources said a provision of constructing 10 night shelters in four different zones of the city has been made by the civic authorities in the first phase. The night shelters will come up near Sulabh Sauchalayas (public toilets) in order to facilitate the homeless labourers to use both the facilities available.
In the next two years, the civic body plans to construct 27 such night shelters in all the municipal zones of the city.
"The project of night shelter has been taken up following a notification issued by the state government. The homeless labourers could be found sleeping on the pavements, under the trees on the main road and on the bridges. With the setting up of night shelter facilities, the homeless labourers will have their own shelter," said a senior civic officer.
Sources said hundreds of migrants arrive in the diamond and textile city of Surat in search of employment. Since the standard of living is quite high, most of the migrant labourers prefer to sleep at the public places during the night hours.
While the civic body has been successful in removing the slum bottlenecks from Tapi river bed and other spots in the city, the night shelter project will be a huge success for those who have been rendered homeless.
"There are many labourers who used to live in the slum settlements by paying rent to the hut owners. The civic body has launched a drive to make Surat a zero slum city and thus the night shelter will help the homeless in a big way," the officer added.
A survey conducted by the civic body two years ago revealed that there were over 30,000 homeless labourers, who do not have place to sleep at night. They were forced to take shelter on roadside pavements and public gardens.
Official sources said a provision of constructing 10 night shelters in four different zones of the city has been made by the civic authorities in the first phase. The night shelters will come up near Sulabh Sauchalayas (public toilets) in order to facilitate the homeless labourers to use both the facilities available.
In the next two years, the civic body plans to construct 27 such night shelters in all the municipal zones of the city.
"The project of night shelter has been taken up following a notification issued by the state government. The homeless labourers could be found sleeping on the pavements, under the trees on the main road and on the bridges. With the setting up of night shelter facilities, the homeless labourers will have their own shelter," said a senior civic officer.
Sources said hundreds of migrants arrive in the diamond and textile city of Surat in search of employment. Since the standard of living is quite high, most of the migrant labourers prefer to sleep at the public places during the night hours.
While the civic body has been successful in removing the slum bottlenecks from Tapi river bed and other spots in the city, the night shelter project will be a huge success for those who have been rendered homeless.
"There are many labourers who used to live in the slum settlements by paying rent to the hut owners. The civic body has launched a drive to make Surat a zero slum city and thus the night shelter will help the homeless in a big way," the officer added.
