3498 people sleep on the streets

The results reveal that there are 3498 people (2520 men and 978 women) who sleep on the streets, pavements and open spaces. It was also shown that out of these 3498 people, 1078 belonged to the BPL (Below Poverty Line) strata and they had taken to begging.

The officials from the Urban Community Development department said that the GHMC would compile and analyse the data in terms of nature of stay, occupation and area of operation to make suitable arrangements for these destitute. Jayaraj Kennedy, additional commissioner, Urban Community Development, GHMC, said, “We have completed the survey swiftly and will soon hold a meeting to decide on a plan of action for these people.”

In the survey it was noted that there are a total of 447 locations within the GHMC limits which have clusters of homeless people living on the streets.

The status in each zone:

East Zone: There are a total of 39 areas in the East Zone which has 131 destitute people, of which 46 have migrated for livelihood purposes and 36 people came in search of work; three of them belong to the city but have no homes and 45 others with miscellaneous reasons. Of which only 19 are prepared to move to a night shelter immediately.

South Zone: This zone has 742 people sleeping on the streets. Surprisingly, 127 of the destitute in this area have come to the city along with a family member who are patients at various government hospitals. Due to lack of facilities in the hospitals, they have been sleeping on the streets. Here, 110 have migrated to the city, 50 are in transit, 210 came in search of work, 136 belong to the city and 109 others have miscellaneous reasons. 227 people were willing to live in a night shelter.

Central Zone: This zone has the highest number of homeless people accounting for a total of 1633 people. And, 502 have accompanied a family member, 746 migrated to the city, 72 came in search of work, 94 are Hyderabadis and 196 others have miscellaneous reasons. 970 people were prepared to go to a night shelter.

West Zone: 64 areas have been identified in the West Zone which has substantial homeless population. There were close to 288 people identified in the area where 170 have migrated to the city, 27 came for work, 23 belong to the city but have no shelter and 66 have other reasons. On asking 226 were ready to move to a night shelter.

North Zone: There are close to 704 people living on the streets in the North Zone. 94 of them work for medical treatment, 137 are migrants, 52 are in transit, 143 are looking for work, here, 47 belong to the city and 231 have other reasons. Only 97 were willing to live in a night shelter.