Ahmedabad shelter homes at 80% occupancy as summer heat peaks
Synopsis
With temperatures soaring in Ahmedabad, the city's 35 AMC-run shelter homes are housing nearly 3,450 homeless residents — around 80 per cent of their 4,315-person capacity. Beyond beds and meals, the civic body is distributing ORS, running medical camps, and even offering jobs to residents under a DAY-NULM initiative — a rare convergence of emergency relief and long-term rehabilitation.
Key Takeaways
Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) is operating 35 shelter homes across the city during the summer heat wave.
Combined capacity stands at 4,315 people , with current occupancy at approximately 80 per cent .
33 facilities function as day shelters; 2 operate as night shelters.
ORS is being distributed and regular medical camps are held at shelter homes for preventive healthcare.
An 'Employment Generation' programme on 21 May provided jobs to 11 residents of the Vasna shelter home under the DAY-NULM project.
A recent night drive at Vasna relocated 53 homeless people to shelter facilities.
The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) is running 35 shelter homes across the city to provide food, shelter, and healthcare to homeless residents amid an intense summer heat wave, officials confirmed on Saturday, 23 May. The facilities, with a combined capacity of 4,315 people, are currently operating at approximately 80 per cent occupancy.
Scale of Operations
Of the 35 shelter homes, 33 function as day shelters while two operate as night shelters. The Urban Community Development (UCD) Department of AMC is overseeing the network, ensuring residents receive regular meals and basic amenities throughout the season.
Given the rising temperatures, Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) is also being distributed at these facilities to guard against heat-related illnesses and dehydration — a measure that reflects the severity of conditions on the ground.
Healthcare and Medical Support
Medical camps are being organised regularly at the shelter homes, offering general health check-ups as part of preventive care. Officials from AMC, including the Deputy Municipal Commissioner of the UCD Department and the department's Director, have been conducting personal inspections to monitor facility conditions and service quality.
Employment and Rehabilitation Initiatives
Beyond immediate relief, AMC is also running livelihood programmes. On 21 May, an 'Employment Generation' drive was organised at the Vasna shelter home in the city's West Zone, under the DAY-NULM project in collaboration with an NGO. The programme provided employment opportunities to 11 residents of the facility.
Night Drives and Anti-Beggar Operations
The UCD Department has been conducting night drives at the Vasna shelter home, with operations running until midnight. During a recent drive, 53 homeless people were relocated to shelter facilities. Separately, anti-beggar operations are being carried out jointly by the Social Security Department, the police department, and AMC's UCD Department.
As temperatures continue to climb, AMC has indicated that shelter home support services will remain active throughout the extreme weather period.
Point of View
Medical camps, and a DAY-NULM employment drive at a single facility signals a shift from pure crisis management toward structured rehabilitation. But 80 per cent occupancy at 35 centres across a city of over 8 million raises a harder question: is this capacity adequate, or does it reflect the limits of what homeless residents can actually access? Night drives that run until midnight suggest demand is being actively solicited — which implies the real unmet need may be larger than the occupancy figure suggests.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many shelter homes is AMC running during the summer heat wave?
AMC is operating 35 shelter homes across Ahmedabad, with a combined capacity of 4,315 people. Of these, 33 are day shelters and 2 are night shelters.
What is the current occupancy at Ahmedabad's AMC shelter homes?
The shelter homes are currently running at approximately 80 per cent occupancy, according to the Urban Community Development (UCD) Department of AMC.
What services are being provided at the shelter homes?
Residents are receiving regular meals, basic amenities, Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) to prevent heat-related illness, and access to medical camps for general health check-ups.
What is the DAY-NULM employment programme at the Vasna shelter home?
On 21 May, AMC organised an 'Employment Generation' drive at the Vasna shelter home in the West Zone under the DAY-NULM project, in collaboration with an NGO. The programme provided employment opportunities to 11 residents of the facility.
What are the night drives being conducted by AMC?
The UCD Department is conducting night drives at the Vasna shelter home, with operations continuing until midnight. During a recent drive, 53 homeless individuals were relocated to shelter facilities.
