Daltonganj's Shelter Home Stands Nearly Empty in Harsh Winter
The Medininagar Municipal Corporation set up a three-story shelter home called Ashray Grih near Daltonganj railway station. This facility aims to help people escape the cold during night hours. However, it remains largely unoccupied despite the freezing temperatures.
Low Occupancy Despite Free Amenities
Binay Ram serves as the caretaker of this shelter home. He is also a daily wager with the municipal corporation. Ram reports that the 50-bed facility sees only five to ten occupants each night. This low usage persists even during the recent fortnight of biting cold weather.
"We once brought around a dozen pavement sleepers here under instructions from senior officials," Ram explained. "They abandoned the beds past midnight and returned to their usual sleeping areas."
Railway Officials Encourage Use Without Success
Umesh Kumar holds the position of superintendent at Daltonganj railway station. He stated that station staff often ask passengers stranded overnight on platforms to use the shelter home. This happens particularly when trains experience delays. Kumar noted that none of these passengers have complied with the suggestion.
Comprehensive Facilities Offered
City Commissioner Md Jawed Hussain detailed the amenities available at Ashray Grih. The shelter home provides:
- Free overnight stay
- Individual beds
- Warm blankets
- Drinking water access
- Washroom facilities
- Safety and security
Despite these offerings, the shelter continues to operate well below capacity. The situation highlights a disconnect between available resources and their utilization by those in need during cold weather conditions.
