HC seeks joint report from govt, NGO on homeless shelters

The Delhi High Court today asked the city government and an NGO to visit those places in the national capital where homeless people are still sleeping on roads and submit a joint report on where shelters are required.
A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw asked the Director of Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) and NGO Shahri Adhikar Manch Begharon Ke Liye to jointly visit the sites after the society alleged that they have proposed some sites but the agency is not willing to put up even temporary homes at such places.
"This court directs both the parties - Director of DUSIB or his nominee along with (NGO member) Indu Prakash and his team - to visit all the proposed places and submit a joint report within a period of one week.

"This will not further create any further problem as it will be done with the knowledge of both the parties," the court said, adding that it will hear the matter on January 14.
The court also sought a reply from the railway which earlier opposed use of their stations as night shelters saying it could lead to accidents on the tracks.
It had also stated that the persons use the railway station to defecate on the railway tracks and which the railway workers refuse to clean, leading to hygiene issues.

The court, however, requested the authorities concerned of railways to consider whether any workable solution can be found.

"We also asked the counsel for the railways as to whether the booking offices can be allowed to be used as night shelters," the court had said.
The court's order came after the NGO, while handing over a list of proposed places to build night shelters, claimed that 208 lives were lost this winter due to authorities not following upkeep of such facilities.