Screening centre for street people being built in Pashupati

By TRN Online, Kathmandu, April 16: Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has accelerated the rescue and management of the destitute, stranded, and street people.  

Acting Mayor of the KMC Sunita Dangol is leading the rescue and rehabilitation by taking stock of the Pashupatinath area and other places. 

First, there will be a screening of the people in the screening center, classifying them, rather than directly holding them in the Ashram. 

She said that there is a significant number of street people in the Pashupatinath area; therefore, the agreement has been made with the Pashupati Area Development Trust to build a screening center for the easy mobilization of street people. 

The Metropolitan City has said that rescued individuals with families will be reunited with their relatives, while those who are physically disabled will be sent to hospitals for treatment.

According to the city’s plan, individuals suffering from mental health problems will be referred to specialized treatment centers for proper care.

Officials said that only those who have no one to support them and are genuinely in need of shelter will be transferred to the Human Service Ashram.

Dhangol pointed out that one of the main reasons some rescued individuals return to the streets is due to behavioral issues.

The metropolitan authorities said the initiative aims to provide appropriate care, treatment, and long-term support to vulnerable individuals while reducing the number of people living on the streets.

The Metropolitan City has finalized a location for a screening centre following a field visit in coordination with the Pashupati Area Development Trust.

“We have already conducted a field visit with the Pashupati Area Development Trust and finalized the site for the screening centre. The trust has already begun cleaning the area,” the official said.

According to the metropolitan authority, the rescued individuals will be kept at the centre, where decisions can be made more easily regarding family reunification, medical treatment, or transfer to the Human Service Ashram.

Officials said it has been found that many people living on the streets often return because alcohol and narcotic substances are easily accessible there, and those accustomed to the freedom of living under the open sky find it difficult to adjust to the discipline of shelter homes.

He further said that counselling and, in some cases, rehabilitation are necessary to bring about behavioural change, and the metropolitan city is already working on these measures.

“Our objective is to ensure that no one is forced to live a painful and helpless life on the streets. The doors of the metropolitan city are always open for those who genuinely need support,” she said.

Acting Mayor said, "There is a need for long-term planning and psychological counselling. The inside pain is deeper than seen on the body. Until and unless this is fixed, then the problem cannot be fixed." 

She said, "The mental problem sprouted from the bad family environment, use of narcotics and drugs, and long-term substance abuse are the reasons resulting in people on the streets. Without Psychological counseling and rehabilitation programs, this issue will not be addressed fully. "