New Delhi: Winters have turned out to be an ordeal for Shakur Basti residents. They have to stand in endless queues at a night shelter to try and beat Delhi's frosty winds. But this year, their struggle has gotten harder.
With hundreds left homeless after an anti-encroachment drive at the Shakur Basti slum cluster, the Railways have converted the night shelter into a relief camp. But far from any relief, residents say they have been left to fend for themselves in capital's bone-chilling winter for more than two weeks.
Asha, a resident, says, "Our only request to the authorities is not shoo us away. Life becomes difficult during winters."
The arrangements at the makeshift camp are badly planned. With blankets and other relief material taking up only little space, a large part of the room remains vacant even as thousands sleep out in the cold just a few metres away.
Another resident Suresh says, "The Railway authorities keep shooing us away when we approach them. We wait for hours in the cold."
Shakur Basti was declared a disaster zone after the controversial demolition drive on December 12 leading to the Civil Defence team of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority stepping in to carry out relief operations. Residents say the DDMA team is their only hope.
Madhuvati, a resident, says, "Kejriwal government is doing a lot to help us. The DDMA team is our only hope. Our only request to the government is to give us a shelter to survive this harsh winter."
Families have been living in Shakur Basti for several years. They say that anti-encroachment drives like the one that took place on December 12 is nothing new and keep happening every now and then. All they ask is a roof over their heads to brave Delhi's harsh winters.
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