Mumbai census phase 2 to begin from February 9

The homeless people in the metropolis will be counted on the night of February 28 for 15th National Census.

The first phase of the census began with house-listing on May 1 last year, and ended on June 15.

The homeless people were not counted during this phase.

"To count the homeless, ward officials will carry out counting operations on the night of February 28, but the ground-work will begin four weeks before," additional municipal commissioner Manisha Mhaiskar said.

"We have asked all 24 ward offices to gather information on homeless people, who are either found on footpaths, or under the bridges," Mhaiskar said.

Over 600 officials from various wards will be involved in the night-long exercise.

"This floating population moves around the city during the day and by night they come to sleep at their usual places. So this is the only time we can go and survey them and get details. Survey will begin after 11 pm and continue till early morning," Mhaiskar said.

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will start the second phase of census from February 9 which will involve head-count and `population enumeration'.