NEW DELHI: The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has decided to make its night-shelters free for the poor people living in city.

"We have asked Municipal Commissioner A. K. Nigam not to charge a penny from those using the facility between January 1 and February 28," said MCD Standing Committee Chairman J.K. Sharma.

This move will not only provide succour to the poor people who have to brave harsh winters but also give major relief to those visiting the city from other States and have no place to stay, he added.

At present, the civic body charges Rs.6 per day from night-shelter users. While the MCD manages 10 night-shelters, 16 others are run by voluntary organisations in the city having a capacity of accommodating more than 4,000 people.

Most of these are situated in the Walled City area, near bus and railway stations and wholesale markets.

Besides this, the MCD will be operating eight temporary night-shelters, while 25 others will be run by the Delhi Government.

Claiming that the civic body has already geared up to meet the requirements of poor people, Mr. Sharma said there were adequate number of night-shelters in the Capital.

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