In response to the intensifying winter chill, the district administration of East Singhbhum has launched a proactive drive to safeguard its most vulnerable residents. Deputy Commissioner Karn Satyarthi has issued strict directives to civic officials, mandating increased physical inspections of public spaces during the evenings and nights.
Night Patrols and Shelter Home Readiness
The primary objective of these night surveys is to locate homeless and destitute individuals and ensure their immediate transfer to designated shelter homes. This initiative aims to prevent any cold-related casualties as temperatures dip. Officials have been instructed to thoroughly check specific high-footfall areas known for homeless congregations.
The key locations marked for inspection include:
- Bhuyadih long-distance bus terminus
- Footpaths near MGM Medical College
- Devnagar, Old Court, and Sakchi roundabout
- Bistupur fish market area
- Tatanagar railway station and Tinplate Chowk
- Sidhgora market and Kadma Marine Drive lane
- Vicinities of various temples
Deputy Commissioner Satyarthi emphasized that the shelter homes must be fully equipped to receive people. He ordered officials to verify that all facilities, including proper lighting, drinking water, toilets, beds, pillows, blankets, and mosquito nets, are in good and usable condition.
Ensuring Warmth with Bonfires and Shelter Capacity
Beyond shelters, a key part of the winter action plan is the provision of continuous public bonfires. Satyarthi instructed authorities to ensure these bonfires are maintained regularly without interruption. The heads of municipal bodies have been tasked with daily monitoring of existing bonfire sites and identifying new suitable locations to expand this service.
The current shelter home capacity across different civic bodies is as follows:
- The Mango Notified Area Committee (MNAC) operates two shelter homes with a combined capacity of 65 beds.
- The Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee (JNAC) runs six shelter homes offering 163 beds.
- The Jugsalai Municipal Council (JMC) has plans to open five new shelter homes, which will add 50 beds to the system.
Ongoing Winter Relief Measures
The bonfire network is already active across the industrial city. JNAC has arranged public bonfires at 26 locations since December 9, while MNAC is providing warmth at 12 spots from December 5. JMC began its service earlier, starting bonfires at six locations from November 27.
The drive comes as Jamshedpur grapples with typical winter conditions. The city is currently experiencing foggy mornings and evenings, with the minimum temperature hovering between 10 to 12 degrees Celsius. The administration's comprehensive plan seeks to mitigate the harsh impact of this season on those without permanent shelter.
