New Delhi, Jan 24 (UNI) New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has made its Barat Ghars and Community Halls available as night shelters for needy people, especially patients and their attendants visiting major hospitals in the city.
Under the arrangement, Barat Ghars and Community Halls are being used as night shelters for those coming for treatment at AIIMS, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and Lady Hardinge Medical College.
The initiative is being implemented in coordination with the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB), which works under the Delhi government.
Vice Chairman of NDMC, Kuljeet Singh Chahal, said the step has been taken following directions of the High Court.
Chahal said only those Barat Ghars and Community Halls that do not have prior bookings are being considered for use as night shelters.
He added that locations are being selected carefully to ensure that regular bookings are not affected and the general public does not face inconvenience, while needy people get safe shelter.
Senior NDMC officers held a meeting on Saturday to review the arrangements.
To ensure smooth implementation, NDMC has formed a special team of officers and staff to monitor coordination, facilities and availability at the shelters on a regular basis.
NDMC is providing space, water and electricity at the shelters, while beds and other essential items are being arranged by DUSIB.
NDMC Community Hall at Kidwai Nagar has already been taken over by DUSIB and is being used as a night shelter for homeless persons rescued from the AIIMS area.
The process of bringing homeless people from the AIIMS subway and nearby areas to the shelter is continuing.
Chahal said the facility will remain available till March 15, depending on the availability of Barat Ghars and Community Halls.
He said the main objective of the initiative is to protect needy people from cold and rain and to ensure they are not forced to live in the open, but are provided safe and dignified shelter.
