The NMC school that was shut down a few years back due to lack of
students will be renovated to accommodate the homeless. The unused
classrooms will be turned into dormitories which will accommodate around
42 people. Toilets, baths, kitchen and other basic amenities will also
be added. A tender has already been awarded and a work order of Rs 25
lakh has been given. It will take around two months for the work to get
over.

Executive engineer of the public works department S Y Pawar said that the night shelter
is not just for the destitute but also for people who visit the city
for a day or two and cannot afford lodging. “It also for people who work
during the day but have no place to sleep at night,” he added.

Ravindra Dharankar, NMC’s deputy engineer (east division) who is
in-charge of the project said, “The compound wall, toilets and baths
will be renovated. There is a toilet block for men which needs to be
renovated and one for women
which will be constructed. The classrooms will be converted to three
dormitories for women and three for men. Overall it will accommodate 21
men and 21 women. An office to maintain records and registers, an
entertainment room with dish television, one kitchen and waiting room
will also be available. Tea, coffee and breakfast will be provided at
nominal rates. As per government directives, provision for lunch at
nominal rates will also be considered. Cots, mattresses, office
furniture, lockers, first aid box, fire safety will be provided. Bed
sheets, pillows and hot water will be given at nominal rates. The rates
for all the services will be decided by the standing committee.”

However, the night stay will be free of cost. A non-governmental
organisation will be appointed once the construction is complete which
will identify the beneficiaries, maintain a register and provide the
services.

This night shelter will also be beneficial to the
people who sleep in temples at night. Satish Shukla, president of Ganga
Godavari Purohit Sangh said, “Night shelter for beggars is really a good
idea. Many of them are near Kapaleshwar temple and Ramkund area. The
pilgrims come every day and offer them meals. Moreover, they also sleep
inside the temple at night. This creates a bad impression on the
tourists. Providing night shelter to beggars will also help to keep the
Godavari clean.”

On July 20122, all states were ordered to
create a provision for the homeless after the Supreme Cout hearing on
the writ petition 196/2001. As per the guidelines in the Bombay
Provincial Municipal Coproration Act, 1949 section 66 (36) says that it
is the municipal corporation’s responsibility to provide shelter to the
destitute and homeless.