Bhubaneswar: Even as the temperature across Odisha continues to dip, several homeless people in Bhubaneswar are forced to spend nights out in the open in bone-chilling cold weather due to massive 'irregularities' in the functioning of the night shelters in the city.
Most of the night shelters managed by Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) have reportedly failed miserably to provide safe night shelter for the destitute and homeless in the Smart City.
Moreover, local residents alleged that the staff of the night shelter demand money to use the services.
Local residents alleged that the particular night shelter is locked at night and many homeless do not have any option other than spending the night out in the open.
As per allegations, despite adequate space, the staff at the night shelter are allowing limited people to stay inside.
Not only Baramunda, but the Palaspalli night shelter was also out of bounds for the homeless as it was found locked. Though an OTV team tried to contact the officials over phone, no one responded.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) had recently asked district Collectors to take necessary measures to protect people from the cold conditions in view of IMD’s forecast cold wave condition in certain pockets of the State.
Meanwhile, the authorities of BMC could not be contacted for their comments over the allegations.
Situation was no different in Sambalpur, Puri and Jharsuguda districts where many rickshaw pullers and homeless people were found sleeping in the open.
"I am too poor to get a house for myself. I have no other option other than sleeping here in the open," said a homeless man in Puri.