The city government on Thursday told the Delhi high court that it has made operational 66 temporary night shelters for homeless people, nine out of which are meant for the children.

In its status report to a bench of acting chief justice A K Sikri and justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw, the government said 66 temporary night shelters with necessary infrastructure are operational.

Nine of these shelters are meant to cater to the needs of the destitute children, government's standing counsel Najmi Waziri told the court.

Waziri said the night shelters have a capacity to house 7,700 people but at present the occupancy is only at the level of 4,500 and the NGOs are required to inform the destitute about the shelters as people are not turning up to avail the facility.

Due to severe cold, the Delhi high court had on December 14 directed that all night shelters of the capital be inspected and a report be filed by next Monday giving details about them which would include their condition and occupancy.