As Delhi braces for a bitterly cold winter, the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) has set up 235 pagoda tents to accommodate the city’s homeless population. These temporary structures complement the 197 permanent shelter homes already operational, with a total capacity of 7,092 individuals. According to DUSIB, the newly established tents are equipped with essential amenities, including mattresses, blankets, functional toilets, medical check-up services, and three daily meals. This intervention aims to address the immediate challenges posed by plummeting temperatures, with forecasts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting a minimum temperature drop to 6°C on Wednesday.
The Supreme Court has also intervened, directing DUSIB to submit a detailed affidavit on the available night shelter facilities. Stressing the urgency of the situation, the apex court highlighted the harsh realities of winter for those without homes. On Sunday, Delhi experienced a minimum temperature of 7.4°C, two degrees below the seasonal average. Active western disturbances over the Himalayan region, coupled with rain in Punjab and Haryana, have led to a further dip in temperatures across northern plains, as reported by the IMD. A cold wave alert has been issued for neighbouring states, including Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and western Uttar Pradesh, starting from December 11.
From a sustainability perspective, DUSIB’s initiative reflects a small yet critical step toward addressing urban vulnerabilities exacerbated by climate change. The unpredictable intensity of winters has underscored the importance of creating resilient city infrastructure for the underprivileged. By repurposing resources to provide essential services, Delhi’s shelter programme offers a model for sustainable urban planning that considers social equity and environmental challenges alike.
This development also underscores a pressing civic issue—Delhi’s growing homeless population, estimated at over 150,000, far surpasses the existing shelter capacity. With temporary shelters only providing stopgap relief, there remains an urgent need for long-term solutions, such as affordable housing projects and integrated support systems. By addressing these gaps, the capital can ensure that its most vulnerable residents are not left out in the cold.
