Govt sets up 250 winter shelters for homeless

The Delhi Government has announced a major initiative to provide safe and dignified shelter to the homeless and underprivileged during winter.

As part of its Winter Action Plan, running from November 15 to March 15, the government has prepared 250 new temporary shelters across the Capital to ensure that no person sleeps under the open sky on cold nights.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the initiative reflected her government’s commitment to protecting the most vulnerable sections of society.

Under the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB), there are currently 197 permanent night shelters in operation, including 153 for men, 17 for women, 19 for families and children and eight for special categories such as those affected by HIV, TB or drug addiction. Each shelter is equipped with beds, mattresses, blankets, drinking water, electricity and CCTV security systems in women’s facilities.

Building on this network, the government has prepared an additional 250 temporary shelters to accommodate around 2,500 people across 120 locations in the city. These facilities will be monitored through a central control room, with rescue teams and GPS-enabled vans operating nightly between 10 pm and 4 am to transport homeless individuals safely to nearby shelters.

The CM said the DUSIB had adopted digital systems to improve efficiency and monitoring. The Rain Basera mobile app allows citizens and officials to report and track homeless persons, while the Night Shelter Inspection App (NSIA) helps authorities oversee shelter operations in real time using GPS tracking and data updates.

“The use of technology will ensure transparency and quick response in our operations,” the Chief Minister said, adding that the system will allow real-time coordination between departments for rescue, maintenance, and monitoring.

To enhance the quality of services, the government has introduced a cost-based selection system for agencies managing the shelters. These agencies will be responsible for round-the-clock maintenance, fire safety, cleanliness and security. Staff attendance will now be tracked through Aadhaar-enabled biometric systems.

Women’s and children’s shelters will also be linked to nearby Anganwadi centres to ensure access to essential health, nutrition and education services.

The CM noted that shelter operations were regularly monitored under the supervision of the Supreme Court Monitoring Committee, the Joint Apex Advisory Committee (JAAC), and the Chief Engineer of DUSIB. “Our teams are conducting regular inspections to ensure hygiene, pest control and fire safety,” she said