Mobile Rescue Teams To Uplift Maharashtra's Street Children: Statewide Rollout Under Mission Vatsalya
The initiative focuses on reaching out to homeless children, orphans, those with single parents, or those from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds living on the streets
The Maharashtra women and child development department has expanded its 'mobile rescue teams" initiative across the state, aiming to integrate street children into mainstream society and education.
Launched in 2022-23 as a pilot project under the Centre-sponsored Mission Vatsalya scheme, the initiative was first implemented in six major municipal areas: Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Nashik, Nagpur, and Mumbai Suburban. Following its success, the state cabinet has approved its expansion to all 29 municipal corporation areas of Maharashtra.
The initiative focuses on reaching out to homeless children, orphans, those with single parents, or those from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds living on the streets.
Women and child development minister Aditi Tatkare, announcing the state cabinet decision on May 13, 2025, stated that denying these children their fundamental rights to education and healthcare constitutes social injustice. 'The mobile rescue team scheme is more than a welfare initiative; it is a movement for social change. Every smile we restore to a child's face is a measure of this scheme's success," she said.
The mobile units provide on-site medical aid, counselling, Aadhaar registration, and facilitate enrolment into anganwadis or residential schools. Children without family support are placed in child-care institutions, ensuring their immediate safety and long-term rehabilitation.
The pilot phase yielded positive results, reaching 3,813 street children with services such as health screenings, nutritional assistance, and educational access. With the recent cabinet approval, Rs 8.06 crore will be allocated to deploy 31 mobile vans across 29 cities. The department is also contemplating future expansion into smaller towns, religious pilgrimage sites, and temple precincts, where many street children are often found.
In collaboration with local NGOs, the initiative also offers de-addiction support, addresses malnutrition, and provides professional therapy for adolescents, ensuring a comprehensive approach to rehabilitation.
By providing access to education, healthcare, and emotional support, the mobile rescue teams aim to transform the lives of vulnerable children. The scheme not only caters to their immediate needs but also encourages reintegration into families or institutional support systems, highlighting the government's commitment to inclusive and child-centric development.
First Published:
May 13, 2025, 20:38 IST
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