Homeless in Delhi find refuge in an abandoned bus which has been turned into a temporary night shelter
Poonam had been living on the pavement outside the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi for the last seven months. Undergoing treatment for cancer at the premier hospital, she, like several hundreds of homeless in the city, forced to brave the bitter winter nights with just one old blanket.
But there's some respite now, what with the
Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party government announcing on Tuesday that old abandoned buses would be converted into temporary night shelters for the homeless.
"I am very happy... there is adequate arrangement... we get tea twice a day... I feel less cold, have a blanket and it is much safer", said Poonam smilingly.
The novel initiative was put in place after Mr Kejriwal's government, through a survey, found that over 4,000 people across 212 locations in the capital were left to battle the chilly winter nights in the open.
Nearly 120 people, including Poonam, have now been housed in four abandoned buses of the Delhi Transport Corporation outside AIIMS. But not everyone is happy.
"Only patients with some proof of identification are allowed, there are no arrangements for others", said another patient outside AIIMS who hasn't been able to find a place in any of the bus shelters.
But the state government has promised more shelters. 16 more buses are being stationed in different parts of the city which will benefit around 600 others. DTC has also offered another 70 buses, which once turned into night shelters, will provide succor to 2,100 homeless people.
Mr Kejriwal and his ministers, who are visiting several areas in the city at night to inspect arrangements, have also promised another 100 night shelters "in the coming days".