To rescue the homeless, GHMC operates 14 night shelters in different parts of the city.
Post Date – 11:59 PM, Tue – 11/22/22
Hyderabad: A harsh winter gripped the city, with temperatures dropping to around 15 degrees Celsius and residents scrambling to protect themselves from the cold weather. Hardest hit, however, are the homeless and trail dwellers who are struggling to escape winter’s bite.
To rescue the homeless, the Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) operates 14 night shelters in different parts of the city. In addition, there are seven shelters within the government hospital where those in need can find respite from the drop in nighttime temperatures.
According to GHMC officials, these night shelters and shelters are nearly overwhelmed at night with the city’s homeless who want to spend the night there. So far, more than 1,000 people in need have found shelter, and more are expected to do so as temperatures drop further in the coming weeks.
GHMC officials and staff at the night shelters said the number of inmates at the facilities has increased since October. While the overnight shelter in Begumpet has a capacity of 45 people, the occupancy has been increased to 60 people.
Likewise, the night shelter at the Nizam Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) has a capacity of 115 people, but is used by more than 200 in winter.
“In order to accommodate more people in the overnight shelters, extra beds have been provided. Temporary arrangements have also been made inside the shelters to allow more people to use the facilities,” a GHMC official said.
Meanwhile, Jayasri of the Sri Education Society said more and more homeless people are coming to the facility to sleep due to inclement weather conditions. “We are also identifying and accepting those who are involved in seeking handouts and staying on the sidewalk,” she said.
Indira from the Aman Vedika NGO, who looks after prisoners at the Malkajgiri night shelter, also said that more people use the facility in winter compared to summer and monsoon season.
In most of the 14 overnight shelters, GHMC officials and NGOs provided breakfast and lunch, and prisoners were asked to cook their own meals during the night.
“We are providing prisoners with all raw materials including rice, beans, cooking oil, cooking equipment, etc. We want prisoners to realize the effort involved in cooking, so we have decided not to provide cooked food in the evening,” an official said.
