‘Ghar Prapti’ For Bengaluru’s Homeless: Soon, 40 Permanent BBMP Shelters After Survey Calls Existing Ones Inadequate

Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is planning to establish 40 permanent shelters for the homeless by next winter. Many people who sleep on the streets and pavements during winter will benefit from this move of the civic body.

A survey was carried out by BBMP to find out homeless people across the city. The survey found that the current number of shelters are not enough for the homeless.

Applications from voluntary organisations, religious institutions which wish to run centres for urban homeless on a rental basis have been invited by the BBMP, Deccan Herald reported.

This will be carried out under the Deen Dayal Antyodaya Scheme or National Urban Livelihoods Mission.

“As the city requires more shelter homes by March 2019, the BBMP will be setting up 40 such homes across the city, while upgrading the six existing shelters. Whoever comes forward to give their premises for the urban homeless, the BBMP will pay a rent through an agreement. We are looking for temporary shelter homes for this winter season, which will at least serve the homeless till February 2019,” Randeep D, BBMP Special Commissioner, was quoted in the report as saying.

All the state governments received a direction from the Supreme Court in 2010, asking them to set-up shelters for the homeless in towns with one lakh or more population.

According to the report, as many as 1,526 homeless people have been identified by BBMP in the West Zone and at least 2,200 in South.