Homeless people in Mumbai to be counted on February 28 night

Mumbai, Jan 19 (PTI) The homeless people in themetropolis will be counted on the night of February 28 for15th National Census.

The first phase of the Census began with house-listing onMay 1 last year, and ended on June 15. The homeless peoplewere not counted during this phase.

"To count the homeless, ward officials will carry outcounting operations on the night of February 28, but theground-work will begin four weeks before," AdditionalMunicipal Commissioner Manisha Mhaiskar said.

"We have asked all 24 ward offices to gather informationon homeless people, who are either found on footpaths, orunder the bridges," Mhaiskar said.

Over 600 officials from various wards will be involvedin the night-long exercise.

"This floating population moves around the city duringthe day and by night they come to sleep at their usual places.

So this is the only time we can go and survey them and getdetails. Survey will begin after 11 pm and continue till earlymorning," Mhaiskar said.

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will start thesecond phase of Census from February 9 which will involvehead-count and population enumeration''.