SHELTER
AND SANITATION FACILITIES FOR FOOTPATH DWELLERS IN URBAN AREAS
As
per the 1991 census, the total number of houseless households in the urban
areas is 3 lakhs and most of them are in the metropolitan cities. A majority
of the houseless in the urban areas comprises footpath dwellers who are unable
to secure any kind of shelter against the vagaries of weather e.g. rain and
winter. They comprise also single women and children.
To meet their
minimum housing needs, a centrally sponsored Night Shelter Scheme for Foot
Path Dwellers was initiated during the VII Plan with the under mentioned components:-
- Construction
of Community night shelters with water supply and sanitary facilities.
- Pay
and use toilets/baths
- Renovation
of existing structures, like market places etc. as Night Shelter.
- Temporary
or mobile night shelter of adequate standards on the basis of justification
provided by State Governments considering the prevailing local factors.
The scheme was modified
in August 1992. The modified scheme has the following components
These two components
can be part of an overall complex of commercial or remunerative facilities
or civic infrastructure.
Modality
of Operation
The projects
under the scheme will be formulated, constructed and operated by the municipal
bodies or agencies designated by State Governments. Voluntary organisations
recommended or concurred in with the State Government or its agencies can
also be involved with the implementation and management of the schemes.To
make the composite night shelter scheme self supporting for maintenance purpose,
commercial places like shops and godowns can be provided in the ground floor
of such complexes and existing structures can be renovated to create such
integrated units.HUDCO
will be responsible for approval, financing and monitoring of the scheme under
the supervision of the Ministry.
Construction
of Community Night Shelters with Community Toilet/Bath Facilities
These buildings
besides providing space for sleeping, would also include facilities for common
bathing, W.C., drinking water and lockers etc. Wherever required, open parking
of rickshaws, hand carts or rehries etc. can be provided near the shelter.
The facility can be designed as part of an integrated complex having remunerative
components. Model designs as well as technical help in design as per local
conditions will be provided by HUDCO. The upgradation and renovation of existing
market places or buildings in disuse can also be proposed. Land will be provided
by State/Local Government or through agreement with private owners. The cost
of construction should be limited to Rs. 5,000/- per beneficiary. Central
Government through HUDCO will provide upto Rs. 1000/- per capita as subsidy
and the balance Rs. 4000/- per capita may be either the contribution by the
local body from its own resources or State budget or to be secured from HUDCO
as loan at terms applicable for social infrastructure or found from the overall
cost of execution of the integrated complex by the executing agency. The subsidy
element alone would not be released , unless HUDCO has ensured through appraisal
that adequate funds to cover balance cost has been or is being mobilised by
the agency.Where
the agency seeks the balance cost from HUDCO beyond Rs. 5000/- only 50% of
the excess cost beyond Rs. 5000/- will be financed by HUDCO and the balance
will be provided by Municipal body/State Government or the executing agency.
