Delhi Mandates Gender Segregation in Night Shelters After Safety Concerns Revealed

Each temporary tent provides shelter for up to 10 to 12 individuals. (Representational)

New Delhi:

As Delhi experiences its coldest December in years with nighttime temperatures falling below 5 degrees Celsius and a severe cold wave enveloping the capital, more than 46,000 homeless people struggle to survive on its streets. Many of these individuals are women forced to share sleeping spaces with men in overcrowded temporary shelters, exposing them to potential harassment and assault risks.

This concerning situation came to light during unexpected late-night inspections conducted by Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood, prompting the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) to issue an urgent directive today requiring immediate gender segregation across all temporary night shelters.

"Such arrangements create significant concerns regarding the safety, dignity, and privacy of female residents," warned the DUSIB order, specifically highlighting mixed accommodations discovered at high-traffic locations such as AIIMS.

With 197 permanent shelters and approximately 250 pagoda-style tents providing nearly 20,000 beds under the Winter Action Plan, the government has pledged zero tolerance for oversights that put women at risk, while rescue teams work urgently to bring all homeless individuals indoors before temperatures drop further.

Minister Sood, who has been conducting night-time inspections to assess winter preparedness, visited over 25-26 temporary shelters during a single night last week, followed by inspections of facilities at Hanuman Mandir and the women's section at Chabi Ganj on Sunday.

During these visits, the minister examined essential provisions including bed availability, warm blankets, heating arrangements, and general hygiene standards, emphasizing the importance of "sensitivity and a humane approach" in shelter operations.

"No one should sleep out in the cold," declared Sood, announcing plans to deploy over 200 additional pagoda-style shelters and waterproof tents in high-need areas to protect homeless individuals from plummeting temperatures.

Together, these facilities offer a total capacity of approximately 19,794 beds across 325 shelter homes, including provisions for hot meals, medical assistance, and biometric monitoring of staff attendance to ensure accountability.

Temporary tents, each housing 10 to 12 people, are furnished with basic necessities such as cots, quilts, and sanitation facilities, though critics have pointed out discrepancies in occupancy reporting, with official figures showing less than 30% utilization in permanent shelters despite evident demand at ground level.

The directive instructs all Shelter Management Agencies (SMAs) to review and segregate pagoda shelters by gender "without delay," with compliance reports due immediately to the Chief Engineer's office.

Delhi's homeless population, estimated at over 46,000 according to recent census data, depends heavily on these shelters during winter months, when exposure to cold has claimed lives in previous seasons – with 180 reported deaths just last year.

DUSIB officials confirmed that segregation measures, including separate entrances and partitioned spaces, will be implemented across all temporary locations by the end of the week, ensuring that "the rights, dignity, and personal security of female occupants" remain the highest priority. As the capital endures its coldest December in years, these measures provide a critical protection layer for those without shelter.