Chandigarh, July 31 - A city-based NGO Friday opened a drop-in-centre here to help improve the quality of sex workers.

'This drop-in-centre is just like a home for these sex workers. Here they can come and interact among themselves and even celebrate festivals together. We will arrange all the recreational facilities for them,' said Parmod Sharma, coordinator of the NGO Yuvsatta.

Sharma said that according to the statistics of the State AIDS Control Society, the number of female Commercial Sex Workers (CSW) in the city is around 3,500.

'Our drop-in centre will meet the needs of at least 850 CSWs, who are living in the adjoining slum colonies and villages. They can also discuss their problems with our expert counsellors. Knowledge will be imparted to them regarding a healthy lifestyle, usage of condoms, voluntary blood tests and about the violation of human rights,' he added.