In the streets of Mumbai, an auto-rickshaw driver from the city has converted a simple idea into a venture that nets him between ₹5 to ₹8 lakhs a month—all without driving his auto anywhere.
Recently, Rahul Rupani, who is a product head at Lenskart and an entrepreneur, shared this story on LinkedIn after an incident that happened to him at the US Consulate in Mumbai. During his visa appointment visit, Rupani was informed by security that no bags were allowed inside and that there were no storage facilities available.
A local auto driver took the initiative and courteously said, “Sir, hand over your bag. I’ll keep it safe. I do this daily. ₹1,000 is the charge.” This man is working on a very particular problem, however, it is quite common.
Innovation at Its Finest
It is a problem of visa applicants who are not permitted to carry their bags into the consulate. The auto driver exploits the vehicle as his office and extends the “bag parking” service to those queuing up there. The service chauffeur charges a fee of Rs 1,000 per customer. If a person works on the busy days without interruption, they can earn a fat ₹5-8 lakh in a month.
Taking into consideration the rules that dictate no storage of more than 30 bags in one rickshaw, the driver decided to combine forces with a police officer who is a neighbor and has a small secure storage place.
Customers drop their bags at the auto, and this legal facility discreetly, dependably, and efficiently transfers them safely. The rickshaw acts as the front desk to his behind-the-scenes storage operation.
Trust Builds Business
Rupani praised the venture as a masterstroke in solving a hyper-targeted problem. The driver built trust without flashy branding or tech, formed a legal partnership to scale his service, and priced it for the convenience it delivers.
It’s a striking example of entrepreneurship at its most raw and real — no business degree, no buzzwords, just deep understanding of customer need and street-smart execution.
