Bhopal Relaunches Beggar-Free Drive After 2025 Failure

The Bhopal district administration has decided to relaunch a massive campaign to make Bhopal free of begging, after the earlier 'Beggar-Free Bhopal' initiative failed to achieve any major results in 2025.

A review meeting on the 'Drug-Free India' and 'Beggar-Free Bhopal' campaigns was held on Thursday under the chairmanship of collector Priyank Mishra.

He directed the social justice department, Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) and NGO Pravesh to work in coordination and prepare a detailed action plan. Mishra stressed that the campaign should not be limited to rescuing people engaged in begging.

Proper rehabilitation, counselling and social reintegration must also be ensured. He also called for extensive public awareness campaigns to sensitise citizens.

The 'Beggar-Free Bhopal' campaign was first launched in 2025 by then collector Kaushlendra Vikram Singh under the Centre's SMILE scheme (Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise).

In February 2025, a shelter home was established in Kolar and the administration identified 242 beggars across the city. Govindpura had the highest number at 113, followed by Old City (39), MP Nagar (29), Sant Hirdaram Nagar (26), Kolar (19) and TT Nagar (16).

However, the shelter failed to reach full capacity as many rescued persons reportedly left the facility. The administration had also received the first instalment of Rs 9 lakh from the Centre for identifying and mobilising beggars.

But, according to former shelter manager Ashok Teegal, the facility was set up on BMC land, following which the civic body demanded rent. However, as officials failed to bring sufficient beggars to the shelter, the rent reportedly remained unpaid.

The new campaign will take lessons from Indore's rehabilitation-focused model. The collector has emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach that includes rehabilitation, counselling, and social reintegration.

The success of the campaign will depend on the coordination between the social justice department, BMC, and NGOs. The public awareness campaigns will also play a crucial role in sensitising citizens about the issue.

The failure of the earlier campaign has highlighted the need for a more effective approach. The new campaign is expected to address the shortcomings of the earlier initiative and provide a more sustainable solution to the problem of begging in Bhopal.

The relaunch of the campaign is a significant step towards making Bhopal a beggar-free city. It is expected to have a positive impact on the city's social fabric and improve the lives of marginalized individuals.

The campaign's success will also depend on the support of the citizens, who need to be sensitized about the issue and encouraged to participate in the rehabilitation efforts.

In conclusion, the relaunch of the 'Beggar-Free Bhopal' campaign is a welcome step towards addressing the issue of begging in the city. With a comprehensive approach and coordination between various stakeholders, the campaign is expected to achieve its objectives and make a positive impact on the city.