Winter is at its peak in Delhi, but nothing much has changed for homeless people wandering on the streets of the city. As the temperatures plummet to new lows, it becomes a matter of survival each day for scores of people without shelters.
Thousands of people are spending nights in the open even though government claims to have made enough night shelters to accommodate these people. However, the existing shelters are a meager percentage of what is required to provide a dignified place to the thousands of homeless in Delhi.
As per a survey by NGO Centre for Holistic Development (CHD), at least 248 people have died due to cold since the beginning of December.
Apart from few in numbers, the conditions of these shelter houses are also quite worrisome.
People at the shelter houses exclaim in despair about the lack of basic amenities and hygiene and their only hope is timely mercy of this unbearable weather on them. Some of them also accuse caretakers of corruption and hooliganism.
“There are no proper arrangements for us here. Not even a single blanket or mattress is in proper condition. Talking about security, if we give some money to the caretaker, there are still some chances of saving our stuff but then also there is no guarantee. There are so many things listed in the chart but hardly anything is available here,” said Manoj Kumar, an auto-rickshaw driver.
“Everybody does not get a blanket and most of the time we have to adjust with other people. The only saving factor is the body warmth of the people,” Ahmad Raza, a daily wager.
Moreover, Raza said that stray animals such as pigs and dogs often contaminate the food.
If struggling with this bone chilling winter was not enough, security poses another major challenge to homeless families. People with the women family members said that they are afraid of taking refuge in the shelters as these are full of drug addicts and alcoholics.
However, officials have a different picture to predict, as they claim that best possible facilities are being provided to these people.
“There are no problems here. We provide them with water and tea on time. Also provide them with enough blankets,” Ram Kishan told Skymet, denying all the allegations.
Taking an account of the situation, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung has recently granted an additional Rs 5 crore for the maintenance of night shelters. He has also ordered Delhi Police to make sure that homeless people sleeping on the roads are shifted to the nearest shelter homes. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has been asked to provide space to Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) for setting up more night shelters.
