The labourers were found sleeping outside on the Footpath outside the DM residence.

Lucknow— The District Magistrate of Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh has issued directions that no one will sleep in the open. The District Magistrate is also conducting regular meetings for this. He made the declaration after meeting the District Commissioner and other related departments. He also talked about adding 112 to this campaign.

The Mooknayak had reported from Ground Zero on this issue. In the State Capital many people were found sleeping on footpaths, Foot overbridges, Bus Stations, outside  Hospitals and Railway Stations. This is despite sufficient permanent and temporary night shelters available in the city. For this, the District Commissioner of Lucknow Nagar Nigam Indrajeet Singh has talked about establishing a monitoring cell and issuing a toll-free number.

The WHOLE ISSUE.

 The state capital has head offices of many departments. Lucknow has many factories and offices of many private companies, where many labourers coming from neighbouring districts work. The construction of many buildings is also underway in Lucknow. The workers sleep outside the footpath after doing their daily work. Lucknow also has many hospitals and high courts. People from neighbouring cities come to the hospitals for treatment. People often come to the High courts for hearings. During summer people coming from outside the cities do not face any issues. But it is very difficult to spend nights in open during winter.  

The Nagar Nigam has 23 permanent and 24 temporary night shelters

Nagar Nigam has established 23 permanent and 24 temporary night shelters in different areas of the city for labourers coming from different parts of Uttar Pradesh. Along with this temporary night shelters are also provided.

The permanent  night shelters have a sleeping capacity of 803

 The Lucknow Nagar Nigam has 23 permanent night shelters, out of which 9-night shelters are managed by the Ummeed organisation. Whereas Nagar Nigam looks after 5, Vigyan foundation looks after 3, 2 by the action point committee. Whereas one is being seen by the Samagra Organisation. Permanent night shelters have the capacity of 803.

The night shelters have arrangements of TV, food, and warm water.

 The night shelters run by the  Nagar Nigam along with the contractual agencies provide the facility of Television and fresh food and warm water for bathing free of cost.

 Labourers sleeping in open despite sufficient arrangements

When The Mooknayak probed, it found that many migrants were found sleeping in the open. They were also found sleeping in open around the Rabindra Nath Tagore Statue near the  Hindi Sansthan opposite to the DM residence.

What do the responsible authorities say?

On this issue, Mahesh Chandra Verma, Chief Engineer, Nagar Nigam said ample arrangements have been made for the labourers in the night shelters. Our team takes the people sleeping in the open to these points. These night shelters have sufficient arrangements for food, sleeping and bathing. The Nagar Nigam also facilitates bonfires at many places when the cold intensifies. 

[Story Translated By Pratikshit Singh]