A field survey conducted by the Centre for Holistic Development (CHD) has raised serious concerns regarding conditions at several night shelters operated by the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) during the ongoing summer season.

The report highlighted multiple shortcomings including:

• Severe water shortages
• Dysfunctional coolers and fans
• Frequent power cuts
• Lack of medical supplies
• Poor emergency preparedness

The NGO stated that these conditions could place vulnerable homeless populations at significant risk during Delhi’s intense summer heatwave conditions.

Survey Conducted Across 24 Night Shelters

According to the report, CHD surveyed:

24 night shelters

located across different parts of Delhi to evaluate the government’s preparedness for extreme summer temperatures.

The assessment focused on critical facilities including:

• Cooling arrangements
• Drinking water availability
• Medical support
• Emergency response systems
• Women’s hygiene infrastructure

The findings reportedly revealed serious deficiencies at several locations.

NGO Writes to Chief Minister Rekha Gupta

CHD executive director Sunil Kumar Aledia wrote to Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, who also serves as DUSIB chairperson, along with DUSIB CEO Rupesh Kumar Thakur, highlighting the issues identified during the survey.

The NGO urged authorities to take immediate corrective action before conditions worsen further during peak summer months.

As per the report, the government has not yet officially responded to the concerns raised in the letter.

Report Flags Critical Gaps in Preparedness

The NGO stated that despite official directions requiring complete summer preparedness by:

April 15

the field survey identified:

Critical gaps in cooling, hydration, and safety

across multiple shelters.

The report warned that inadequate infrastructure during extreme heat conditions could create dangerous health risks for shelter residents.

Two Heat Related Deaths Reported

One of the most alarming observations in the report involved confirmation of:

Two heat-related deaths

within the surveyed shelter sample.

The NGO used this finding to emphasise the urgency of immediate intervention and improved emergency management.

Heatwaves in Delhi can become life-threatening, especially for homeless individuals lacking adequate shelter, hydration, and medical assistance.

Severe Water Shortage at Multiple Shelters

According to the survey findings:

40 percent of the surveyed shelters had no permanent water connection

The report stated that inadequate water access remains one of the most serious problems during extreme summer conditions.

Water availability is critically important during heatwaves because dehydration significantly increases health risks including:

• Heatstroke
• Exhaustion
• Medical emergencies

The NGO stressed the need for uninterrupted access to clean drinking water at all shelter facilities.

Cooling Systems Found Non Functional

The survey also reported widespread problems involving cooling infrastructure.

Several shelters reportedly had:

• Dysfunctional coolers
• Non-working fans
• Poor ventilation systems

Delhi experiences extremely high temperatures during summer months, making cooling systems essential for the safety of shelter residents.

The absence of functioning cooling equipment can worsen health risks during prolonged heat exposure.

Frequent Power Cuts Add to Crisis

Some shelters surveyed by CHD also experienced:

Frequent electricity disruptions

Power outages can severely affect cooling systems, water pumps, lighting, and emergency medical response capabilities.

During extreme heat conditions, uninterrupted electricity becomes especially important for operating:

• Fans
• Coolers
• Medical equipment
• Water supply systems

Shortage of ORS and Medical Supplies

The NGO report further stated that two shelters did not have:

ORS packets

available for residents.

Oral Rehydration Solution packets are commonly used to prevent dehydration during high-temperature conditions.

The absence of basic emergency medical supplies raised further concern regarding preparedness levels at the shelters.

The report recommended immediate strengthening of medical support systems.

Women Shelter Facilities Also Flagged

The survey additionally identified problems at facilities reserved for women.

According to the report:

Sanitary napkin vending machines were found empty

The NGO stated that women staying at shelter homes require adequate hygiene support and essential facilities, especially during extreme weather conditions.

The findings highlighted concerns regarding maintenance and monitoring systems at the shelters.

NGO Demands Immediate Corrective Measures

CHD urged the Delhi government and DUSIB authorities to take several urgent corrective steps including:

• Repairing cooling systems
• Ensuring reliable water access
• Providing medical supplies
• Improving emergency response systems
• Fixing accountability for lapses

The organisation argued that rapid intervention is necessary to protect vulnerable populations from worsening summer conditions.

Heatwave Conditions Intensifying in Delhi

Delhi continues experiencing severe summer temperatures with recurring heatwave conditions affecting public health and urban infrastructure.

Homeless individuals remain among the most vulnerable groups during extreme heat because they often lack:

• Stable shelter
• Cooling access
• Hydration facilities
• Medical assistance

Night shelters therefore play a critical role in protecting at-risk populations during summer months.

Importance of DUSIB Shelter Infrastructure

DUSIB operates night shelters intended to provide temporary accommodation and basic facilities for homeless residents across Delhi.

These shelters are expected to offer:

• Safe sleeping arrangements
• Drinking water
• Cooling systems
• Sanitation support
• Emergency assistance

Any major deficiency in these facilities can significantly affect resident safety and health outcomes.

Public Health Risks During Heatwaves

Medical experts often warn that prolonged heat exposure can lead to severe health complications including:

• Heatstroke
• Dehydration
• Cardiac stress
• Respiratory problems

Elderly people, children, and homeless populations face especially high vulnerability during heatwave periods.

Proper shelter infrastructure becomes essential during such conditions.

Accountability Questions Raised

The NGO report has also raised broader questions regarding monitoring and accountability mechanisms within shelter management systems.

The survey suggests that despite official preparedness directives, implementation gaps may still exist at the ground level.

The organisation called for stronger oversight and faster response systems to prevent future lapses.

Emergency Preparedness Under Scrutiny

The report comes amid growing focus nationwide on disaster preparedness and urban heat management.

Authorities across multiple Indian cities are increasingly working on:

• Heat action plans
• Emergency hydration systems
• Public cooling infrastructure
• Health monitoring programs

The findings from Delhi’s shelters may intensify calls for stronger urban heatwave preparedness strategies.

Civil Society Groups Increasingly Active

Non-government organisations and civil society groups have become increasingly active in monitoring conditions affecting vulnerable populations during extreme weather events.

Field surveys often help identify operational problems that may otherwise remain unnoticed.

The CHD report highlights the role such organisations play in raising awareness regarding public welfare issues.

Delhi Government Yet to Respond

At the time of the report, the Delhi government had not issued an official response to the allegations or survey findings.

Public attention is likely to remain focused on whether authorities announce:

• Immediate repairs
• Infrastructure upgrades
• Administrative reviews
• Emergency intervention measures

Need for Long Term Shelter Improvements

Experts argue that beyond emergency action, long-term improvements may also be required in Delhi’s shelter infrastructure.

This could include:

• Permanent water connections
• Modern cooling systems
• Backup electricity support
• Better maintenance systems
• Medical preparedness upgrades

Climate change and rising urban temperatures are increasing pressure on public shelter infrastructure across major cities.

Conclusion

An NGO survey conducted across 24 DUSIB night shelters in Delhi has highlighted serious concerns including:

• Severe water shortages
• Dysfunctional coolers and fans
• Frequent power cuts
• Lack of medical supplies

The report also confirmed:

Two heat-related deaths

within the surveyed shelter sample and urged authorities to take urgent corrective measures.

Key highlights include:

• Critical gaps in summer preparedness
• Inadequate cooling and hydration systems
• Concerns regarding women’s hygiene facilities
• Calls for accountability and emergency reforms
• Growing focus on heatwave protection for vulnerable populations

The findings have intensified attention on Delhi’s shelter infrastructure as the city faces extreme summer conditions.

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