Railways refuses to provide its land for shelter homes
14 Dec 2014 4:28 AM IST
A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw, however, was of the view that in winter this year “no one in the national Capital should die of cold or be found sleeping on road side.
We are not concerned with the space and the blankets or the beddings given to the homeless at night. All that we want is that no one should sleep on the road this winter,” the court said while asking DDA, DSIIDC (Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation), Cantonment Board, Land & Development Office and civic bodies to make all kinds of arrangements for the homeless people.
However, on the question raised by the counsel for Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) that railway officials were not co-operating in their project, the Northern Railway’s counsel said “the space near railway stations cannot be made available for homeless as they would often cross the track carelessly which may lead to their death.”
The court said “we need not blame each other. Some way has to be found to provide roof to thousands of homeless in the city. Some more additional directions need to be given to the agencies involved.” The High Court also asked the concerned authorities and the NGOs to give suggestion on the same. The court has fixed the matter for further hearing on January 7, 2015 while asking the civic bodies here to explore all the possibilities and even to consult St Columbus School to make available its basement for the homeless during winter nights. It also asked DUSIB to contact New Delhi Municipal Council for allowing the homeless to sleep at their subways. The court was hearing a case it took up on its own after media reports highlighted the absence of proper night shelters.
We are not concerned with the space and the blankets or the beddings given to the homeless at night. All that we want is that no one should sleep on the road this winter,” the court said while asking DDA, DSIIDC (Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation), Cantonment Board, Land & Development Office and civic bodies to make all kinds of arrangements for the homeless people.
However, on the question raised by the counsel for Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) that railway officials were not co-operating in their project, the Northern Railway’s counsel said “the space near railway stations cannot be made available for homeless as they would often cross the track carelessly which may lead to their death.”
The court said “we need not blame each other. Some way has to be found to provide roof to thousands of homeless in the city. Some more additional directions need to be given to the agencies involved.” The High Court also asked the concerned authorities and the NGOs to give suggestion on the same. The court has fixed the matter for further hearing on January 7, 2015 while asking the civic bodies here to explore all the possibilities and even to consult St Columbus School to make available its basement for the homeless during winter nights. It also asked DUSIB to contact New Delhi Municipal Council for allowing the homeless to sleep at their subways. The court was hearing a case it took up on its own after media reports highlighted the absence of proper night shelters.
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