KOZHIKODE: 294 homeless and abandoned living in the streets of the city were identified by the corporation as part of its night survey conducted to collect the data of homeless people in the city limit. The survey is being conducted as part of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana- National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) project of the central government aimed at providing shelters equipped with essential services to the urban homeless in a phased manner.
Briefing about the survey, City Corporation Mayor Thottathil Raveendran said, “The survey was conducted in just one day, for which 8 squads were appointed to identify people. To implement this project we are planning to utilize the 22 cents of land owned by the Corporation at Nallalam, where a shelter home will be constructed.” He added that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) had been prepared and submitted. “Once the estimated amount is sanctioned, we will move ahead with the project,” he said.
As per the DAY-NULM project, 70 per cent of the expense will be met by the Central Government and 25 per cent will be invested by the State Government. The estimated amount for the project is Rs 6 crore. The shelter home will have all the basic facilities and in addition, the Corporation will also implement the Naipunya scheme to train them in a skill that matches their taste and interest. The Corporation will also address the livelihood concerns of the urban street vendors by facilitating access to suitable spaces, institutional credit, social security and skills to the urban street vendors for accessing emerging market opportunities.
