4 days ago
Video Shows 17 Children Crammed Into Bhiwandi Auto-Rickshaw
A video showed 17 children riding in one small auto-rickshaw in Bhiwandi.
The vehicle was meant to carry only three passengers.
Some children were sitting near the driver and in the space normally used for luggage.
This made the vehicle very crowded and could make it harder for the children to get out quickly during an emergency.
The driver reportedly said he normally carried about 15 children and had taken more that day.
He also said a protective mesh had been installed, but that did not increase the legal passenger limit.
Some parents said school buses cost too much or were not available.
Traffic police took action against the driver and asked parents to check how their children are seated.
A video showed 17 schoolchildren travelling in an auto-rickshaw designed to carry three passengers.
Several children were reportedly seated near the driver, while others occupied the rear luggage space.
The overcrowding raised concerns about injury risks and children’s ability to evacuate during an emergency.
Parents cited unaffordable bus charges or a lack of school transport as reasons for using private autos.
Bhiwandi traffic police said action was taken against the driver and urged parents to monitor seating arrangements.
- Who
- Seventeen schoolchildren, an auto-rickshaw driver, parents, school authorities and Bhiwandi traffic police were involved or referenced.
- What
- A video showed 17 children travelling in a three-seater auto-rickshaw, prompting safety concerns and police action against the driver.
- Where
- The Roshan Bagh area of Bhiwandi, Maharashtra.
- When
- The incident was reported on September 23, 2026; the video was circulated on social media by September 24, 2026.
- Why
- Some families reportedly used private auto-rickshaws because school transport was unavailable or bus charges were unaffordable.
Transport Access And Affordability
Safety And Enforcement
Why families use private autos
Transport Access And Affordability
Some parents reportedly rely on private auto-rickshaws because school-bus charges are too expensive or their schools do not provide transport.
Safety And Enforcement
Traffic police and school authorities emphasize that children must be transported within the vehicle’s permitted capacity.
Responsibility for monitoring
Transport Access And Affordability
Parents and schools face practical difficulties monitoring transport, particularly when drivers drop children outside school premises.
Safety And Enforcement
Schools said they instruct drivers to follow capacity limits, while traffic police urged parents to check how children are seated and said similar action would be taken in future.
Protective mesh
Transport Access And Affordability
The driver reportedly pointed to a protective mesh installed inside the auto-rickshaw as a safety measure.
Safety And Enforcement
The report states that the mesh did not change the permitted passenger capacity or remove the risks of severe overcrowding.
Key facts
- Children aboard
- 17 schoolchildren
- Vehicle capacity
- Designed to carry three passengers
- Reported seating
- Children were seen near the driver and in the rear luggage area
- Driver’s account
- He reportedly usually carried around 15 children and had accommodated additional children that day
- Safety concern
- Overcrowding could increase injury risks and make emergency evacuation difficult
- Police action
- Bhiwandi traffic police said action had been taken against the driver
- Transport challenge
- Some parents cited unaffordable bus charges or unavailable school transport
Sources
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