The Hindu 22.01.2010
Delhi gets 37 new night shelters
Staff Reporter
NEW DELHI: After receiving flak from several quarters for its inability to provide relief to the Capital’s homeless during winter, the MCD has opened 37 new night shelters in compliance with Supreme Court directions.
This takes the total number of night shelters run by the MCD to 64. The new ones have been opened in existing community halls of the Slum & JJ Department. Their capacity is about 5,000 people.
MCD spokesperson Deep Mathur said on Thursday: “A total of 27 night shelters were already operating. Of these, 17 are permanent night shelters, two permanent night shelters are for women and children, and eight are of temporary nature set up till March 31. The MCD provides durries, blankets, mats, drinking water, newspapers and public convenience at these night shelters. The services are absolutely free of charge during the winter months.”
The new shelters have been set up at Delhi Gate, Nizamuddin, Raja Garden, Chandni Chowk and Nand Nagri among other places.
MCD Standing Committee chairman Ram Kishan Singhal has also announced that 25 new night shelters would be set up by the MCD in the next financial year.
