India, Nov. 22 -- Despite a sharp drop in night temperatures, the Delhi government has missed its deadline to open 250 temporary night shelters for the homeless, with work lagging by nearly four days. Many of the sites remain non-operational and still in early stages of preparation, even as people living in existing permanent shelters brace for harsher nights ahead.

Caretakers at permanent shelters in densely populated areas such as Sarai Kale Khan and Jama Masjid said it would take a few more days before temporary facilities are "fully ready" to house people. Meanwhile, several permanent shelters continue to struggle with basic amenities, from broken toilets and rat-bitten mattresses to the absence of functioning hot-water dispensers. ...