Enforcement teams in Gurugram carried out a major operation today to clear unauthorized settlers from a state-run night shelter. The site, designed to provide temporary refuge for the city’s most vulnerable, had become a permanent residence for dozens of families over the years.
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Reclaiming Public Space: Officials noted that the building was effectively “lost” to the public as encroachers had established permanent household fixtures and even small commercial stalls inside the shelter. The demolition aimed to restore the building’s original function.
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Winter Readiness: The timing of the drive is critical. With temperatures expected to drop in the coming months, the administration is working to renovate and sanitize all Rain Baseras in the city. “We cannot have shelters blocked by permanent residents when they are needed for the transient homeless population who risk their lives on the streets in winter,” a senior official stated.
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Protests and Displacement: The 50 families displaced by the drive held a protest, claiming that while they occupied the space, they had no alternative affordable housing options in the city. However, authorities stood firm, citing multiple eviction notices that were issued and ignored prior to the bulldozer action.
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Future Use: Once the debris is cleared and the structure is repaired, the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) plans to install new bedding, lighting, and security to make the facility ready for public use by mid-October.
