Now Reading: Kochi’s She Lodge serves 1.5 lakh women in three years
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Kochi’s She Lodge serves 1.5 lakh women in three years
Kochi corporation's She Lodge near Ernakulam North railway station has provided safe accommodation to over 1.5 lakh women since opening in March 2023. The facility, set up by the LDF government in a renovated three-storeyed building, has 43 single rooms, 32 double rooms and 31 dormitory beds, with a maximum capacity of 154 beds. Of these, 111 beds are currently in use, 43 beds are out of service due to maintenance issues or complaints of heat and smoke from rooms near the canteen kitchen.
The 24-hour lodge sees heavy demand, with most rooms occupied between 6am and 10pm. Authorities urge women to call ahead to check vacancy but do not offer advance bookings. The facility has CCTV surveillance and seven trained staff, including three wardens. Officials try to accommodate late-night arrivals when possible. A recurring challenge is young women seeking shelter after family disputes or elopements, often leading to police involvement, staff now record purpose of stay and background details on police advice to avoid legal trouble.
Indian Opinion Analysis
She Lodge fills a gap in safe, affordable urban accommodation for women travelling for work, study or interviews, a need that private lodges often do not meet at comparable rates. The project's success, 1.5 lakh users in three years, highlights demand that far exceeds the current 111 operational beds. The 43 unusable beds due to kitchen-related issues point to a design flaw that could be fixed with ventilation or relocation of the canteen. The recurring police cases involving runaway girls suggest the lodge is also functioning as an informal shelter, beyond its original transit-hotel purpose. The next step for Kochi corporation will be deciding whether to expand capacity or open a second facility.
Source: newindianexpress.com
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