Sat Dec 06 19:33:10 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text, followed by a rewritten news article:
Summary:
A report by The Hindu reveals discrepancies in the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board’s (DUSIB) data regarding the capacity and occupancy of night shelters for the homeless in Delhi. DUSIB’s official figures appear outdated and inflated, with contradictory information between different reports. Ground checks revealed inconsistencies between listed capacities and actual conditions in several shelters. Experts argue that shelters are being relocated away from areas with high homeless populations, and demolitions and shutdowns are further exacerbating the problem, despite planned temporary tent installations.
News Article:
Delhi Homeless Shelters: Inflated Numbers Mask Underutilization Amidst Winter Crisis
NEW DELHI, December 7, 2025 – An investigation by The Hindu has uncovered significant discrepancies in official data regarding the capacity and occupancy of night shelters for Delhi’s homeless population, raising concerns about the effectiveness of services during the harsh winter months.
According to Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) reports, the city’s 186 permanent shelters have a capacity of over 15,916 individuals, with less than 30% occupancy reported over the past week. However, a separate DUSIB list shows a significantly lower “revised” capacity of 6,551. These contradicting numbers cast doubt on the accuracy of official statistics, especially when Delhi has a homeless population estimated to be over three lakh.
Ground checks conducted by The Hindu revealed further inconsistencies, with shelters in areas like Lodhi Road, Kalkaji, and Sarai Kale Khan operating either below or above their officially listed capacity. Some shelters, like one in Sarai Kale Khan, showed occupancy exceeding their listed capacity, while others in Mori Gate had inflated capacity figures on record.
A former DUSIB official stated that even the “official” figures are inflated and haven’t been updated to reflect current spacing norms introduced two years ago. He said the occupancy figure was not updated after the introduction of cots in the shelter, which reduced the amount of people who can occupy the space.
Experts working with the homeless community criticize the DUSIB’s relocation and demolition policies. Jatin Sharma, former director of the Centre for Equity Studies, points out that shelters are being moved away from central areas where the homeless population is concentrated, towards less accessible locations like Narela and Dwarka. He added that nine shelters have been demolished and five shut down since 2023.
Despite plans to install 200-250 temporary tents with a capacity of 2,500 this winter, critics argue that these measures are insufficient to address the growing needs of Delhi’s vulnerable homeless population, especially with proposed relocations full during the winter.
The DUSIB has not responded to requests for comment on the discrepancies highlighted in this report. The findings raise urgent questions about the accuracy of data and the adequacy of services provided to Delhi’s homeless population during the crucial winter season.
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