In March, a fire broke out at a tent in Yamuna Bazaar In March, a fire broke out at a tent in Yamuna Bazaar Eight months after a homeless man died in a fire at a makeshift night shelter in Yamuna Bazaar, the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) is introducing around 60 “fireproof tents” in the capital. Part of the board’s winter preparations, the fireproof tents are in addition to the 198 night shelters that exist in the city. DUSIB CEO Shurbir Singh said, “From November 19, the night shelters will be free of cost for everyone… every winter, extra tents are set up. This year, they are fireproof after the Supreme Court directive.” On Monday, Delhi’s Urban Development Minister Satyendar Jain held a meeting on preparations at night shelters during winter, with officials from the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Delhi Jal Board, DUSIB, health department and the municipal corporations. “Starting now, regular health check-ups will take place at night shelters. The revenue department will do night patrolling of shelters and tents, and rescue teams are being put in place,” said Singh. Pollution protection masks will also be distributed at night shelters by the Directorate of Health. A caretaker at one of the night shelters told The Indian Express, “There are bulbs fitted inside these makeshifts tents and if there is a short circuit, the tents can catch fire and cause a lot of damage. Several nights, when it’s very windy, small fires break out at these makeshift tents.” Indu Prakash Singh, facilitator at CityMakers Mission International, which works with homeless people, said, “Planning for winter has to happen much in advance… Permanent shelters for the homeless are the ultimate solution, but that hasn’t happened yet. There’s a need for better coordination between DUSIB and DDA — as one builds shelters and the other demolishes it.” For all the latest Delhi News, download Indian Express App

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