Winter shelter deadline missed, many facilities still incomplete

Nine days after the November 15 deadline for opening 250 temporary winter shelters, a visit to several makeshift sites revealed that they were not fully operational or were overcrowded, leaving many vulnerable as temperatures continue to fall.

The Tribune visited in some areas including Kashmere Gate, Chandni Chowk, Sarai Kale Khan, and AIIMS found that while permanent shelters are operational, they are grappling with hygiene issues, crowding, and damaged infrastructure.

At a shelter in Chandni Chowk, Mala Devi said, “The building is okay, but sometimes it becomes very crowded. The toilets are not always clean and the smell makes it hard to sleep.”

In another permanent shelter, several mattresses were found chewed by rats, forcing residents to sleep in uncomfortable conditions. “We try to keep things clean, but the rat problem is getting worse,” said caretaker Ramesh Kumar. “We need proper pest control support,” he added.

Shelter residents appreciated the availability of food despite difficulties. Ramlal, a daily wage worker staying at Sarai Kale Khan shelter, said, “We get three meals a day, breakfast, lunch, and dinner and that helps a lot when we have no work.”

However, the situation at many temporary shelter sites remains a bigger concern. Several tent shelters inspected in Kashmere Gate were either not constructed or only partially set up. In some, tents had been installed but without lights, bedding, water supply or electricity.

“There is no space in the night shelter, when I reach early at the shelter There are chances of getting space but if we are late its hard to get space,” said 45-yearold Ahmed, who has been sleeping under a flyover for the past two nights.

A Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) official acknowledged the delay but assured that work is underway. “The tender was awarded some days ago. We have already set up 78 temporary shelters, and the target of 250 will be met within a week,” the official said.