Gurgaon : A recent report by the Delhi-based NGO Centre for Holistic Development reveals alarming conditions at night shelters managed by the Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon (MCG), noting they fall below the standards set by the National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM). Based on 2011 Census data, the NGO flagged a significant shelter deficit given Gurgaon’s growing population, which now far exceeds the 8.8 lakh mark recorded in 2011.

Following the report, MCG announced plans to increase night shelters to meet rising demand. Currently, Gurgaon district has 12 shelters, including seven run by MCG and others managed by nearby municipal corporations. However, only three are permanent structures, while others are temporary setups with concerning sanitation and safety issues. Some shelters are poorly maintained, with instances of fires due to inadequate safety measures, and many residents sleep in porta cabins that are cramped and unsanitary. In some cases, people are forced to sleep outside, sharing space with animals, which raises safety risks.