DoSJE and WB Host Seminar on Rehabilitation of Vulnerable Groups

29 Apr 2025 CW Team

The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (DoSJE), Government of India, in collaboration with the World Bank, hosted a seminar Headlined ‘Hard to Reach Population – SMILE (Beggary)’ on twenty-fifth April 2025 in New Delhi.

The event aimed to deliberate on strategies for rehabilitating beggars, the homeless, and the destitute. National and international experts participated, contributing to the ongoing dialogue on strengthening India's social protection systems.

Chief Guest Shri Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), highlighted the importance of hearing directly from individuals who have transitioned out of begging to better understand root causes and the effectiveness of support systems.

Benedicte Leroy De La Briere, Lead Economist at the World Bank, emphasised the value of authentic field data and the importance of foundational documentation such as registered addresses and bank accounts for effective rehabilitation.

Key updates included identification of approximately eighteen thousand individuals under the SMILE initiative, with one thousand six hundred twelve already rehabilitated. Global examples from Ethiopia and Brazil and initiatives from Indian states were shared, focusing on community-based models.

The Department reaffirmed its commitment to promoting collaboration and innovation for inclusive societal development.

Source: Press Information Bureau Delhi

Infrastructure Transport

06 May 2026

Pune To Build Nine Km Link Road Between Highways

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to appoint an expert to plan the development of a nine km long, 60 metre wide road from Khadi Machine chowk to Wadki chowk as an extension to the Katraj-Kondhwa road to link the Mumbai-Satara and Pune-Solapur national highways. The scheme is intended to divert heavy vehicle traffic away from the city and improve access between the two arterial routes. The project has been prioritised by the PMC and forms part of a larger set of schemes in which 19 roads have been identified for development at a combined cost of Rs 9.82 billion (bn) to address c..

Barabanki Bahraich Six Lane Highway Approved in Uttar Pradesh

The Uttar Pradesh government has approved construction of a new six-lane highway linking Barabanki and Bahraich as part of National Highway 927, and the cabinet has cleared the project. The alignment will pass through Mustafabad and Kaiserganj and extend for about 101.5 km, creating a key corridor for local and long-distance movement. The National Highways Authority of India will oversee the work and has signalled the scheme is intended to strengthen regional connectivity and cross-border access to Nepal. The project carries an estimated total cost of Rs 69,690 million, equivalent to Rs 69.69..

Toll At Kharegaon Likely As Highway Upgrade Nears Completion

A section of the highway at Kharegaon has undergone an upgrade and is approaching completion, and authorities have indicated plans for a toll to be introduced once works finish. The project has focused on strengthening the carriageway, improving drainage and upgrading intersections to enhance safety and capacity. Officials have said the toll will be used to recover construction costs and fund ongoing maintenance. The upgrade included resurfacing of the pavement, widening of certain stretches and installation of modern signage and lighting to reduce accident risk. Contractors completed most ma..