Chennai: The Chennai corporation has proposed to construct 30 more night shelters in the city, having recently ope­ned 15 new ones besides the existing 15 in Chennai.

The city corporation has also claimed space from the CMDA-controlled places at the Koyambedu bus stand and Madhavaram lorry shed. Vacant spaces at the MRTS construction sites are also asked for construction of new night shelters. Besides, places are also identified at zonal levels and some sites rented, according to sources.

“We are following the Supreme Court’s direction in constructing the shelters and additional shelters besides these 30 will also be considered in case of need,” said a Corporation official.

The corporation carries out the functions of these nigth shelters in coordination with the city-based NGOs. The civic body also runs special shelters for women, children and mentally ill people.

“One shelter must be constructed for every lakh of population in the city, and hence the corporation has initiated this move,” the official added. “There are many people who sleep on the pavement in my area. The corporation must inte­nsify identifying the homeless and provide everyone a shelter this monsoon,” said J. Pankaj, a resident of MGR Nagar.