India, Jan. 16 -- The Delhi government on Thursday expanded night shelter capacity around major hospitals and stepped up midnight rescue operations amid severe cold conditions, officials said on Wednesday.

Government officials said that chief minister Rekha Gupta ordered the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) and shelter management agencies to increase facilities around high-footfall zones such as AIIMS, Safdarjung and G.B. Pant Hospital.

The move comes three days after the Delhi High Court directed the Delhi government and the Centre to ensure that the homeless are provided with night shelters during winters.

Gupta said that the shelter capacity around AIIMS-Safdarjung belt has been increased to 350 beds. "Temporary shelter...