Vishwakarma Chowk night shelter without beds, other facilities

Manav Mander

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Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, January 22

The night shelter located at Vishwakarma Chowk is just five minutes away from most of the places where homeless people usually stay. But the poor condition and lack of facilities at this shelter keep the homeless away from here.

This shelter is easily accessible for those staying around Mata Rani Chowk, Jagraon Bridge, Clock Tower and Durga Mata Mandir.

A visit to this night shelter revealed that there are no beds here and mattresses have been laid on the floor. In addition to this, there was no heater in the room. This shelter can accommodate only 10 persons.

Ram Parkash, who came to the night shelter, said that although quilts are provided here but one still feels really cold. “There is no bed and no facility of room heater either. One feels really cold while sleeping on the floor and mattresses fail to bring any relief in the extreme cold conditions,” he said.

Another occupant said that there is dampness in the room, which only adds to the problem. “The only relief is that one is sleeping under the roof and protected from rain and dew,” he said.

Dinesh, who usually stays around the railway station, said that he once went to the night shelter near Vishwakarma Chowk. “The bus dropped me there and I came back on foot but the room was dingy and there were no beds. I usually go there on days when it is raining. Otherwise, I prefer staying here as I get blankets to protect myself from the cold weather,” he said.

Another person, who was seen sleeping around Civil Lines areas in harsh winter conditions, said that he does not want to go to the night shelter and feels comfortable where he was sleeping on the divider near Sidh Peeth temple. “I have become used to sleeping here. Going to the night shelter and coming back in the morning does not make any sense to me. People coming to the temple give me alms and I am happy with that,” he said.