The Andhra Pradesh High Court bench, led by Chief Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur and Justice Ravi Cheemalapati, has ordered the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) Commissioner Dhyanachandra H.M. to start a drive to move homeless people sleeping on pavements to shelter homes immediately. This direction came during a Public Interest Litigation hearing on December 24, with proceedings released online on Monday. The court expressed concern that no night shelters exist for women in Vijayawada. When the VMC’s Standing Counsel mentioned a plan to add more shelters, including for women, the court insisted the municipal corporation must not delay in setting up a separate shelter for women. Recognizing that this homelessness issue may affect other cities and towns across Andhra Pradesh, the court asked the Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD) Department to submit an affidavit within two weeks. This document should explain the steps to ensure destitute men and women do not sleep on pavements in district headquarters. The court also suggested engaging NGOs to provide safe shelters. The case is scheduled for further hearing on Wednesday.