New Delhi MC opens ‘barat ghars’, community halls as night shelters
Move to especially help patients, attendants visiting AIIMS
In a step to provide relief to homeless persons, patients and their attendants during the harsh winter season, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has made its ‘barat ghars’ and community halls available as night shelters.
The initiative is being implemented in compliance with directions of the High Court. Announcing the initiative, NDMC Vice-Chairman Kuljeet Singh Chahal said the arrangement was especially meant for patients and their attendants visiting AIIMS, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, and Lady Hardinge Hospital, who often spent nights in the open due to lack of affordable accommodation.
The initiative was being carried out in coordination with the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB), which functions under the Government of Delhi. NDMC is making available only those community halls and ‘barat ghars’ that do not have any prior bookings. Locations are being selected after careful assessment to ensure that there is no inconvenience to the general public, while extending shelter to the needy.
Senior NDMC officials reviewed the preparedness and implementation of the initiative in a meeting held on Sunday. To ensure smooth functioning, the NDMC has constituted a special team to regularly monitor arrangements, coordination and availability of essential facilities at the shelters.
Under the arrangement, NDMC is providing basic infrastructure such as space, water and electricity, while the DUSIB is supplying beds and other essential items.
The NDMC Community Hall at Kidwai Nagar has already been taken over by the DUSIB, and is currently being used as a night shelter for homeless persons rescued from the AIIMS area. The process of bringing homeless individuals from the AIIMS subway and surrounding areas to the shelter is underway.
At present, three ‘barat ghars’ — Kidwai Nagar, Laxmibai Nagar and Mandir Marg — are serving as night shelters.
Additionally, the NDMC has arranged mobile toilets and water tankers at the AIIMS Rain Basera.
The facility will remain available till March 15, with the objective of protecting vulnerable people from cold and rain and ensuring safe and dignified shelter.
