Haibowal night shelter most preferred one, but has no beds, room heaters

The shelter located at Haibowal is the most preferred one by those who wish to spend a night in these because of its strategic location. The maximum number of people visit here for taking shelter during the night as compared to the other shelters in the city.

There are two halls in this night shelter, which has a capacity of accommodating 100 persons here. But the sad part is that there are no beds or room heaters. Although more people come here, it does not have the basic facility of beds.

Upon reaching this night shelter, a team of Ludhiana Tribune found that as the night was progressing, people were slowly pouring in, it being the most preferred one among all night shelters visited by the team so far.

An attendant at the night shelter said that many homeless persons come here to spend the night. “The rush increases during extreme winter conditions. People are ferried to the night shelter by a bus,” he said.

Ashok, who had come to the night shelter to spend the night, said that usually a bus picked them up during the late evening hours. “The place is comfortable as there are sufficient blankets and quilts,” he said.

Another inmate said that since there were no beds, heaters must be installed here. “I once went to the night shelter located at Moti Nagar and it had beds and heaters as well, but it is a little far off and I have to shell out money to come back to my place,” he said.

Ram Lal, who was also at the night shelter, said that the bus picked and dropped them here. “Some arrangement should be made for dropping us in the morning as well. In the morning it becomes very difficult to return to our place,” he said.

The premises here are neat and clean and racks for keeping belongings have also been provided, but Krishan, who comes here frequently, felts that beds should be provided here as one felt cold while sleeping on the floor. “Though mattress are there, but they don’t prove to be enough in really chilly nights,” he added.