Delhi government to open 250 temporary winter shelters for homeless from Nov 15

New Delhi: The Delhi government will launch its Winter Action Plan on November 15, setting up 250 temporary shelters and maintaining 197 permanent ones across the city to provide relief to homeless and needy residents during the cold season, chief minister Rekha Gupta announced on Thursday.

The initiative, which will run until March 15, aims to ensure that every homeless person in the capital has access to safe and warm accommodation during winter, according to a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).

Gupta said the government has introduced a new quality and cost-based selection policy for managing agencies to improve the overall standards of shelter homes. These agencies will be responsible for 24/7 operations, maintenance, cleanliness, fire safety, electrical systems, and security.

“The Delhi government is committed to supporting the most vulnerable sections of society. We are using modern technology to make our shelter system more efficient and accessible,” Gupta said.

Under the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB), there are currently 197 functional shelters — 153 for men, 17 for women, 19 for families and children and 8 for special groups including people affected by HIV, TB or substance abuse.

Each shelter is equipped with beds, blankets, mattresses, electricity, water coolers, CCTV cameras and mosquito control devices, ensuring a safe and hygienic environment.

The government is also setting up 250 temporary shelters at 120 locations across the capital, expected to accommodate around 2,500 people.

To strengthen on-ground support, GPS-enabled rescue vans will operate nightly from 10 pm to 4 am, ensuring that people sleeping on the streets are safely transported to nearby shelters. A central control room and rescue teams will coordinate these efforts.

DUSIB has also integrated digital monitoring tools such as the Rain Basera App for reporting and tracking homeless citizens, and the Night Shelter Inspection App (NSIA) for real-time inspection and GPS-based oversight.

Additionally, shelter staff attendance will be tracked through Aadhaar-based biometric systems, while women’s and children’s shelters will be linked with Anganwadi centres to provide essential nutrition, health, and education services.

The entire shelter network is supervised by the Supreme Court Monitoring Committee, the Joint Apex Advisory Committee (JAAC), and the **chief engineer of DUSIB. Regular inspections ensure compliance with safety, hygiene, and maintenance standards across all facilities.

(with inputs from agencies)