As Ahmedabad gears up to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and support India’s bid for the 2036 Olympic Games, city authorities have initiated a campaign to combat child begging and street exploitation. The drive aims to improve child welfare, enhance urban safety, and maintain cleaner public spaces, aligning with the city’s efforts to present a positive image before international sporting events.
Joint teams involving officials from the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, the Mahila Cell of the Ahmedabad Crime Branch, the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, local police, social welfare agencies, and child protection authorities have conducted extensive operations against child begging in various busy commercial areas and tourist spots. This initiative has resulted in the rescue of numerous children and adults, with a focus on identifying vulnerable minors, verifying their family backgrounds, and preventing exploitation.
Ahmedabad, the designated host city for the 2030 Commonwealth Games, is viewed as a crucial step towards India’s aspirations for the 2036 Olympic Games. The city is actively implementing major sports infrastructure projects in the Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar region to support these ambitions. Recently, authorities carried out special anti-begging drives in specific zones, leading to the rescue and placement of children with appropriate committees and shelters.
The ongoing anti-begging campaign in Ahmedabad is part of a broader effort spanning over two years to combat child exploitation and trafficking. The Mahila Cell of the Crime Branch has been actively cracking down on individuals involving children in begging activities since 2024. Notably, more than 200 children have been rescued from begging during this period, with over 60 successfully enrolled in AMC schools.
