NEW DELHI: The Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) has installed 235 pagoda tents across the city to provide refuge to homeless individuals during the harsh winter nights as part of the Delhi government’s 2024-25 winter action plan.
Launched on November 15, the plan includes the setting up of 250 tents, with the remaining 15 reserved for emergencies.
Each tent is equipped with essential facilities such as mattresses, blankets, toilets, and health checkups, along with three daily meals. “Security measures have also been taken, with three guards assigned for each tent working eight-hour shifts,” an official said. Additionally, permanent shelter buildings are being upgraded with geysers and other amenities to enhance comfort during the cold months.
The city experienced its coldest night of the season on Saturday, with temperatures plunging to 7.1°C. On Sunday, the minimum temperature was 7.4°C, with rainfall predicted during the day, according to the IMD.
The DUSIB currently operates 197 shelters with a capacity for 7,092 individuals. The addition of the new tents will further increase this capacity. “The government has allocated Rs 3 crore for the implementation of this initiative from November 15, 2024, to March 15, 2025,” the official said.