Shelter homes initiative: Deputy commissioner orders increased shelter home visits; Aims to protect homeless from cold-related casualties

Jamshedpur: In the wake of increasing cold, East Singhbhum deputy commissioner Karn Satyarthi has directed civic body officials to increase physical visits to public places especially after evenings to trace homeless and destitute and shift them to the shelter homes to avoid any cold related casualties.He asked authorities to survey places such as the long-distance bus terminus in Bhuyadih, MGM Medical College footpath, Devnagar, Old Court, Sakchi roundabout, Bistupur fish market area, Tatanagar railway station, Tinplate Chowk, Sidhgora market, Kadma Marine Drive lane, and the vicinity of the temples for physical surveys. “Ensure proper lighting, drinking water, and toilet facilities, beds, pillow, blanket, and mosquito nets are in good condition at the shelter homes,” Satyarthi told officials.He also asked the officials to ensure that bonfire is provided on a regular basis without break. The municipal body heads have been asked to conduct daily monitoring of the public bonfire and identify new locations for setting them.Notably, the Mango Notified Area Committee (MNAC) has two shelter homes with a total capacity of 65 beds, while Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee (JNAC) has six shelter homes with a capacity of 163 beds. The Jugsalai Municipal Council (JMC) has planned to open five shelter homes with a total capacity of 50 beds.This apart, JNAC has also arranged public bonfire at 26 locations from December 9, MNAC at 12 locations from December 5, and JMC started a public bonfire at six locations from November 27.With a minimum temperature of 10-12 degrees Celsius, the industrial city is experiencing foggy weather in the early morning and evenings at present.