Delhi LG Najeeb Jung allows tents under flyovers as homeless reluctant to leave

NEW DELHI: Authorities will put up tents under flyovers and bridges to shelter the homeless in the bone-chilling cold in the city following permission from Lt Governor Najeeb Jung who today allocated additional Rs seven crore to Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board ( DUSIB).

This is in addition to the Rs five crore allocated to DUSIB recently.

Jung, who along with senior Delhi government officials inspected night shelters over the weekend, said that in spite of the government's best efforts to ensure that people move into the safety and warmth of the night shelters in this severe winter, some people refuse to move from places they occupy on roads and under flyovers and bridges.

Failing to persuade such people to move willingly into the night shelters and considering the extreme cold conditions prevailing in the city, the Lt Governor has made an exception and instructed Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) to set up tents under flyovers and bridges, said LG house officials.

"This arrangement shall be in place till first week of February," they said.

Jung also instructed the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to provide space to DUSIB for setting up more night shelters. DIUSIB is making arrangements for blankets and beddings for these establishments at the DMRC locations.

DMRC has committed to provide the ground floor of Metro Station at Okhla to DUSIB for this purpose. In addition, it is providing portable cabins as well.

"Delhi Government stands firm on its commitment to provide roof and bedding to all homeless persons in the city," Jung stated.

The national capital is in the grip of a cold wave with minimum temperature dropping to 2.6 degree, the lowest in the season so far.