In P’kula too, homeless at the mercy of the elements

Sanjay Bumroo
Tribune News Service
Panchkula, December 14

Even as the mercury has plummeted due to the recent rain in the region and snow in the hilly areas of neighbouring Himachal Pradesh, officials of the local Municipal Corporation are yet to come out deep slumber to make the night shelters operational.

There are nine night shelters in Panchkula district and these will be thrown open for the homeless this weekend. The MC will soon constitute a three-member committee to conduct a survey to assess the requirements of these night shelters.

Of the nine night shelters operational in “porta cabins” in the district, six are in Panchkula, of

which two are permanent and four are set up during the winter season, two in Kalka and one in Pinjore block.

For the temporary night shelters, the authorities have to provide beddings, water facility and light to make these operational. An official said with the temperature dipping, homeless people were waiting for these facilities to become operational.

Rajesh Jogpal, MC Administrator, said directions had been issued to the officials concerned to provide the necessity items in these nine shelters to make these operational.