18 night shelters in Chandigarh, but homeless in corridors

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 24

Despite the Municipal Corporation having set up 18 temporary night shelters at eight locations in the city, many homeless persons, including migrant labourers, rickshaw-pullers and beggars, still prefer to sleep in the corridors of markets or other convenient places.

Out in the cold

• Those sleeping in corridors find it convenient to sleep near their place of work
• Some say it’s not easy for them to travel to night shelters to sleep and return the next day
• Councillor Saurabh Joshi says MC should come up with shelters that can be set up at night, dismantled in the day
• This will ensure that those sleeping in corridors or open spaces get some cover from intense cold wave, he says

Talking to Chandigarh Tribune, some of them said they find it more convenient to sleep near their place of work where they have stocked bedding and other necessary items. Some say night shelters are not located near their preferred area and it is not easy for them to travel long distance to sleep and return the next day.

Nevertheless, a fairly large number of people are opting for the night shelters where the MC has provided facilities like heater and bedding. Besides, there are no charges to sleep there. Those opting for the facility only have to produce an identity proof as a security measure.

Councillor Saurabh Joshi, whose ward in Sector 16 has a night shelter, said, “The MC should come up with shelters that can be set up at night and dismantled during the day. Such shelters must be provided near places where the homeless usually sleep, particularly near markets. This will ensure that those sleeping in the corridors or other open spaces get some cover from intense cold wave.”

Joshi said people had been sleeping in the corridors for long. “They keep their bedding and other goods on the terrace of booths and take these out at night. At some places, traders have provided quilts and blankets to such people, who double up as watchmen and protect their shops from thefts,” he said.

Besides, there is “neki ki diwar” at many places where people donate old clothes and blankets for homeless people. Among the places where waterproof shelters are put up are near the GMCH-32, GMSH-16, PGI, ISBT-17, ISBT-43 and Sector 29.

Source say fire safety equipment, lighting facility, electricity connections, drinking water and toilet facilities are provided at these shelters. Besides, cushioned carpet, quilts, mattresses, pillows and blankets are available too. Also, CCTVs are installed at such facilities.

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