The tragic death of a labourer, who was asleep on the footpath, after being mowed down by a speeding car in a hit-run case in Bhubaneswar has now brought the focus back to the miseries of the poor who are forced to spend nights under the open sky.
A ground reality in the aftermath of the hit-run case by OTV found that several people, mostly labourers are unaware of the night shelters and other facilities of the state government. Many are forced to sleep on footpath due to lack of roof over their heads or financial constraints.
Footpath Only Option For Many….
“We do not know about the night shelters and their location. We are aware of the dangers of sleeping on footpath, but we have some problems at home for which we have to sleep on footpath or on the verandah of some shops. Once BMC officials had come and taken some pictures,” said a person sleeping on footpath.
Another 18-year-old youth said, “I work as a labourer and sleep on the footpath after work every day.”
A labourer from outside state said, “I work in Bhubaneswar. I used to stay in a room, but left it due to financial issues. I do not know about any night shelter facility of the government as I am new to the place. Police officials sometimes come and ask about our identity.”
Many claim that officials sometimes come and ask them not to sleep here. But they have no option instead of leaving everything on the destiny. Meanwhile, the administrative officials could not be contacted over the issue.