Delhi Hospitals Face Urgent Request for Temporary Shelters During Cold Wave
New Delhi currently struggles with an extended period of intense cold. This harsh weather forces many homeless individuals to spend nights outdoors. Most of these people are patients receiving treatment or their attendants. They gather outside the city's largest hospitals.
The Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board, known as DUSIB, has taken urgent action. The board now seeks permission to establish temporary shelters directly on hospital premises. This move aims to protect vulnerable people from the dangerous winter conditions.
Official Letters Reveal Critical Situation
DUSIB sent official letters on January 2 and January 6, 2026. These documents addressed four major government hospitals. The hospitals include AIIMS, Safdarjung Hospital, Lady Hardinge Medical College, and Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital.
The letters request authorization to erect additional pagoda-style tents. These temporary structures would remain in place until March 15. DUSIB officials conducted field visits around hospital campuses. They discovered a huge number of homeless persons in these areas.
Most individuals sleeping in the open have direct connections to medical care. They are either patients undergoing treatment or attendants waiting for consultations. The board emphasizes that this issue directly concerns hospitals themselves.
Winter Routine for Thousands of Patients
For thousands of patients, sleeping outside AIIMS during winter has become routine. Many travel from states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. They often arrive one night in advance. This strategy helps them secure appointment slips or ensure they are present when their turn arrives.
The hospital subway provides some warmth despite unhygienic conditions. This space typically becomes packed with people. Individuals wrap themselves tightly in blankets. They occupy every available inch of space to escape the cold.
DUSIB has already established 32 temporary night shelters near hospitals for the winter season. These shelters have a combined capacity of approximately 320 people. However, the actual requirement appears much higher.
The board estimates a need for about 90 pagoda tents. These structures could accommodate nearly 900 individuals. The current cold wave gripping Delhi makes protection from extreme cold absolutely essential.
Hospital Responses and Required Approvals
Officials from Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital responded to inquiries. They stated that approval from the health ministry remains mandatory. The hospital is actively seeking this clearance.
Once permission is received, tents will be allowed near key hospital areas. These locations include outpatient departments and emergency zones. The hospital recognizes the urgency of providing shelter to those linked to ongoing treatment.
Other hospitals named in the letters have also received queries. Their responses highlight the procedural steps necessary for implementing temporary shelters. The situation underscores the critical intersection of healthcare access and basic shelter during extreme weather.
Delhi's winter crisis continues to expose gaps in social welfare systems. Patients and their families endure harsh conditions while seeking medical attention. Temporary shelter solutions offer immediate relief, but they also point to broader systemic challenges requiring attention.
