All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi submitted before the court that it has set up shelters at several spots on the campus and its surroundings.
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The Delhi High Court on Tuesday directed the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) to prepare action plans to protect patients and their attendants camping outside several government hospitals in the city from harsh weather.
A Bench of Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia was hearing a suo motu petition that was filed after taking cognisance of a January 13 The Hindu report on patients and their kin sleeping on roads outside hospitals amid cold weather.
The Bench directed DUSIB to prepare two annual short-term contingency action plans to tackle harsh weather conditions.
The board was directed to prepare a summer plan to deal with heatwave conditions, which will be implemented in May-June, with the option of extending it to July-August. The second plan to mitigate cold wave conditions will have to be prepared by July-August and implemented in December-January.
āSecure approvalā
The Bench also directed DUSIB to ensure that the two action plans receive the approval of the Principal District Judge.
During the hearing, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi submitted before the court that it has set up shelters at several spots on the campus and its surroundings.
āAll 750 beds at these sites are filled, showing high demand and effective use. This has ensured orderly relocation, enhanced safety, and prevented exposure to harsh weather. Free-of-cost e-shuttle services have also been provided for the safe internal movement of patients and attendants,ā it stated.
The court said such coordinated efforts have begun to yield tangible results, but require continued supervision and structured planning to avoid future lapses.
Published ā January 28, 2026 01:42 am IST
