Lucknow | With the onset of the winter season approaching, District Magistrate Vishakh G chaired an important meeting at the Collectorate Auditorium to review and expedite preparations across various departments to ensure timely protection of the public from cold waves. The meeting focused on the condition, facilities, and operational readiness of night shelters (Rain Baseras) established across the district.
During the review, the District Magistrate instructed officials that all permanent and temporary night shelters in urban areas be immediately repaired and made functional. He emphasized that each shelter must have adequate beds, mattresses, blankets, clean drinking water, hygienic toilets, and proper lighting, along with separate arrangements for men and women to ensure safety and comfort.
Officials from the District Urban Development Agency (DUDA) informed that eight shelters are being operated under its jurisdiction, in addition to 25 permanent and 40 temporary night shelters planned in the urban areas. Shri Vishakh directed that all shelters be fully operational and accessible to the public at the earliest, with signboards displaying the caretaker’s name and mobile number prominently installed at each site.
The District Magistrate also reviewed the condition of night shelters established within government hospitals and instructed all Chief Medical Superintendents (CMS) to ensure sufficient availability of blankets, potable water, clean toilets, and proper lighting. He further ordered that volunteers be deployed during night hours to guide attendants and patients’ families to the shelters available within hospital premises.
Municipal Commissioner informed that renovation work on permanent shelters is in progress, while tendering for temporary shelters has been completed. The District Magistrate directed all Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) to coordinate with Executive Officers (EOs) of Nagar Panchayats and conduct on-site inspections to ensure readiness and functionality of shelters in their respective areas.
Additionally, DM Vishakh G instructed that signage, public address (PA) systems, and resting facilities be ensured at bus stations and key traffic points for the convenience of passengers. The Additional District Magistrate (Finance & Revenue) was directed to issue necessary instructions to R.M. Roadways to facilitate these arrangements.
To ensure protection of animals during the cold wave, the District Magistrate also directed the Chief Development Officer (CDO) and Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) to arrange for “cow coats,” bonfires, tarpaulin covers, and straw bedding at cow shelters in both urban and rural areas. He stressed that these measures must be implemented swiftly to shield cattle from the harsh winter.
The meeting was attended by the Municipal Commissioner, Chief Development Officer, Chief Medical Officer, Additional Municipal Commissioner, Additional District Magistrates (Finance & Revenue and City-East), Chief Veterinary Officer, all SDMs, and officers from government hospitals and concerned departments.
