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At least 250 new temporary shelters will be set up in the national capital as part of the Winter Action Plan starting from November 15. These new homes will be in addition to 197 permanent shelter homes for the homeless in the national capital. The Delhi government, in a statement, said that with the additional shelter homes, the homeless will find a safe refuge from the winter. “In addition to the regular shelters, the government has prepared 250 new ones to ensure that no person is forced to sleep under the open sky on cold nights. The government’s objective is that every homeless person should receive shelter and safety under the Winter Action Plan, which will run from 15 November to 15 March,” the government said. Chief minister Rekha Gupta stated that modern technology is being employed in this initiative to ensure not only comfort for the homeless but also the smooth and efficient operation of these shelters. ‘Cold Comfort’ Under the Shelter Home Scheme of the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB), there are 197 permanent shelters in the capital. A total of 153 of these shelter homes are for men, 17 for women, 19 for families and children, and eight for special categories such as persons affected by HIV, TB, or drug addiction. Each shelter is equipped with beds, mattresses, sheets, pillows, blankets, electricity, mosquito control devices, water coolers, and CCTV security systems for women. The additional 250 temporary shelters are being set up across 120 locations in Delhi and will collectively accommodate about 2,500 people, with scope for expansion if required. Technology At Work To further assist the homeless, rescue teams and a central control room are also being established. “GPS-enabled rescue vans will operate from 10 pm to 4 am every night to safely transport homeless individuals from the streets to nearby shelters,” the government added. The DUSIB has integrated digital technology for monitoring and rescue operations. The Rain Basera mobile application is used for reporting and tracking homeless citizens, while the Night Shelter Inspection App (NSIA) helps oversee shelter operations through GPS tracking and real-time data updates. The annual practice of setting up shelter homes in the national capital is a part of the government’s plan to ensure that homeless people are not left on roads during the harsh winters of Delhi.
