Maharashtra Government Launches 'Mobile Squad' to Support Street Children and Orphans

Mumbai: In a landmark step towards inclusive child welfare, the Maharashtra government has officially rolled out an ambitious initiative titled ‘Mobile Squad’, aimed at rescuing, rehabilitating, and reintegrating street children, orphans, and underprivileged minors into mainstream society.

The initiative, spearheaded by the State Women and Child Development Department, will deploy specially equipped vans across the state to identify and assist vulnerable children living in precarious conditions. These include children who are abandoned, forced into begging, child laborers, street vendors, children of sex workers, and those exposed to substance abuse or poor living conditions.

Mobile Vans with a Mission

Each van, managed by partnered non-governmental organizations (NGOs), will be staffed with a counselor, teacher, caretaker, and driver, with the capacity to engage up to 25 children at a time. These “child-friendly” vans will tour urban areas, slums, traffic junctions, and neglected pockets of society to find children in need.

“These children will be first engaged respectfully, and once the consent of their guardians or parents is obtained, they will be introduced to safe and nurturing activities,” said a senior official from the department.

Children in need of urgent medical care will be transported to local hospitals. Others will participate in engaging activities like storytelling, music, dance, theater, and art, intended to stimulate interest in education, creativity, and self-expression.

Focus on Education, Hygiene, and Counselling

The program’s next phase involves basic hygiene training and social habits, such as bathing regularly, nail care, and hand washing. “This prepares them not only for health and hygiene but also helps them adapt to school environments,” said the official.

Once the children are adjusted, trained counselors will work with them and their families to facilitate admissions into local schools, Anganwadis (government-run daycare centers), or Balwadis (preschools), ensuring a seamless transition into formal education.
 

Minister Confirms Expansion Statewide

State Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare confirmed that the project was successfully piloted across six districts, including Mumbai, where more than 3,800 children were counseled and over 70,000 were mapped over a year.

“Considering the success of the pilot, we have decided to scale the initiative across all 26 cities of Maharashtra,” said Tatkare.

In its first phase, 31 vans will be operational across 29 municipal corporations, with a total budget allocation of ₹8.06 crore. Mumbai will receive three vans, one each for the city, eastern suburbs, and western suburbs.

The second phase will extend the program to municipal councils and pilgrimage destinations, where transient and vulnerable children are often found.

Safety, Compliance, and Monitoring

 

To ensure child safety, the state has mandated that NGOs must inform local police in advance about their operational schedule. Every van must include two female staff members, be fitted with GPS tracking devices, and have CCTV cameras installed to maintain transparency and safety.

Officials stress that the initiative is designed not just to “rescue” children but to rebuild their lives holistically—through compassion, structure, and sustained support.

As Maharashtra leads the way in child welfare innovation, the ‘Mobile Squad’ initiative stands as a model that other states may soon emulate, signaling a shift from reactive to proactive child protection and empowerment.