NASHIK: The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) will convert the Sant Gadge Maharaj Primary School in Panchavati into a night shelter, as per the directions of the Supreme Court and guidelines given by the state government.

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.