As the temperature in the city dipped significantly in December, occupancy in the shelter homes has seen a sudden rise. Many homeless, who otherwise spend nights at other public spaces, rushed to the various shelter homes, taking its occupancy to the year’s peak. According to the concerned authorities, the shelter homes’ occupancy during December 2025 was at 86 per cent, with some shelter homes reporting 100 per cent occupancy on some days of the month. Together, 387 homeless persons were reportedly occupying spaces in all the city’s seven shelter homes operated by the Samaj Kalyan Vibhag of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), having a total capacity of 450 beds. The data shows that, during the period, the facilities were operating to their limits. Bodhisattva Urban Homeless Shelter in Indora, with a sanctioned capacity of 20 beds, recorded full occupancy.

 

 

Apulki shelter housed 45 persons against a capacity of 50 beds, while Ashray shelter recorded 25 occupants against 30 beds. Among larger facilities, Savali shelter recorded 92 occupants against 100 beds, and Aastha shelter housed 126 persons against a capacity of 150 beds. Similarly, Aadhar shelter recorded 46 occupants against 50 beds. In total, four out of seven shelters were operating at 90 per cent capacity or higher during December 2025. In the meanwhile, the data shows a structural imbalance in shelter planning. There are only 100 beds reserved only for women, while men have the privilege to occupy the remaining 350 beds. Officials acknowledged that the high occupancy levels recorded in December 2025 point to increased pressure on shelter infrastructure during the winter period.

 

“Attendance data shows that shelters were operating close to capacity, leaving very little buffer for any sudden increase in demand,” a Samaj Kalyan Vibhag official said. A comparison between June 2025, the hottest month reflected in the records, and December 2025 highlights a sharp contrast. At the Bodhisattva Urban Homeless Shelter in Indora, the average daily occupancy during June 2025 stood at 16.3 persons per day, which surged to 100 per cent in December 2025. The data indicates that colder conditions drive a higher proportion of homeless persons into shelters. A similar surge in occupancy was visible at the Aadhar Urban Homeless Shelter in Sitabuldi where the average occupants jumped from 40 in June 2025 (per day) to 46 occupants per day in December 2025.