Press Release 16-01-2012

Press Release

  Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB), Govt. of NCT of Delhi being the Nodal Agency for providing shelter facilities for the homeless people of Delhi has left no stone unturned in its endeavour to provide Shelters facility to every homeless citizen of Delhi especially during the harsh winter.   DUSIB has established and operating 135  Shelter Homes with all necessary infrastructure facilities located across Delhi.

To ensure effective utilisation in a humanitarian manner and for maximum reach out to the homeless people of Delhi, the DUSIB has inducted the services of reputed NGOs in the field for operation and maintenance of all the 135 Shelter Homes of Delhi.

DUSIB is providing all basic facilities including toilet, electricity, bedding, adequate number of blankets,  water  etc.    The Ld. Court Commissioners (appointed by Hon’ble Supreme Court of India) vide their inspection report  conveyed to Hon’ble Supreme Court of India that infrastructural maintenance of Permanent Night Shelters was found appropriate   and appreciated the efforts made by DUSIB, GNCT of Delhi for providing Emergency Rescue Services to the homeless people as well as developing Bhagidari system in the Management of Shelter Homes by creating Committees like Joint Apex Advisory Committee and Core Committee.  The Commissioners recommended that widely publicize help-lines must be set up and such works must be up-skilled to all Cities  and similarly the Model of City Level Committee in the shape of Joint Management committee comprised of DUSIB officials, NGOs’ is an innovative one and should be up-skilled for all Cities. 

The Commissioners’ Report also submitted that the total shelters required to be constructed in Delhi as per population is 129 with a capacity of 100 people. 

The two Permanent Shelter Homes, which were found to be closed due to maintenance by MCD at Community Halls Gandah  Nallah Bazar and Yamuna Bazar Near Hanuman Mandir were also operationalized by 15^th Evening 2012 and work of Operation & Management of these two Shelter Homes entrusted to the Mother NGO & Homeless Resource Centre of North District.

To enhance the occupancy of Shelter Homes DUSIB has requested the Police Authorities, Civic Agencies and NGOs  to mobilize and shift people sleeping on the pavements, under the bridges and public parks to use the shelter facility in the nearest Night Shelter of the area. Delhi Police has been specifically requested to maintain law & order in these shelters.

DUSIB is co-ordinating with the Directorate of Education for providing informal education and vocational training to  the homeless children habitating in the shelter homes. The Directorate of Health Services  of Delhi Govt. and  MHS, MCD have been requested and are providing health facilities/medical check up to the residents of Night Shelters. To ensure timely decision making, to upgrade infrastructure and to enhance the utilization of Night Shelters, a Joint Apex Advisory committee and Core Committee have been constituted to develop Bhagidari system between Govt. Agencies and NGOs. All possible suggestions of NGOs are duly incorporated in the methodology, facilities and functioning of the Night Shelters. These committees are examples of participative management of users and the Government Agencies.

DUSIB is also coordinating with   various Govt. Agencies i.e. Department of Social Welfare, GNCTD, Department of Women & Child Development, Indian Railways, Delhi Development Authority and New Delhi Municipal Council etc.  to ensure effective implementation of all the welfare schemes of the Government of NCT of Delhi and the Government of India meant for the benefit of the homeless citizens of Delhi.

Hon’ble Chief Minister, Government of NCT of Delhi has directed and committed that DUSIB will construct more Night Shelters in Delhi depending on the requirement. The capacity created by DUSIB as on date can accommodate 13,000 shelter-less people in the 135 Night Shelters located across Delhi. However, the current occupancy is approx. 5,600 people every night. To maximise the awareness of the Night Shelter facility provided by the Government, DUSIB has partnered with NGOs and is endeavouring maximum mobilization and utilization by the homeless people. The list of Night Shelters with location, NGO details and contact numbers is enclosed for wide circulation and publicity.

DUSIB  is also running a Emergency Rescue Service on round the clock basis through Mother NGO St.Stephen’s Hospital to provide medical aid & shifting of the homeless from street to nearby shelter homes.  The Helpline Nos. are 9868399222 and 011-27120590.   The detailed information may also be viewed on our Website “delhishelter.nic.in”.

 LIST OF PERMANET & TEMPORARY SHELTER HOMES