MUMBAI, May 12: Taking a stern stand against the unauthorized and illegal operation of app-based bike and taxi services, the Maharashtra government has ordered a massive crackdown on transport aggregators like Ola, Uber, and Rapido.
The provisional licences of these operators were revoked in March this year apparently due to non-compliance with E BikeTaxi rules including mandate to use electric vehicles and failure to submit certain documents.
State Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has directed authorities to file direct criminal cases ainst the owners of these companies, stating that these unauthorized services are “playing with the lives of passengers.”
In a formal letter addressed to the Additional Director General of Police (Maharashtra Cyber), Minister Sarnaik demanded the immediate shutdown of the online operations of these apps. He highlighted that these platforms are operating without valid permits, government recognition, or adherence to the rules laid down by the Transport Department.
The Minister’s decision follows a high-level meeting with senior transport officials.
During the meeting, Sarnaik pointed out several grave risks associated with these services:
Lack of Verification: There is no proper verification process for drivers.
Security Gaps: Emergency response systems and measures for women’s safety are virtually non-existent.
No Insurance:Passengers lack adequate insurance cover in case of mishaps.
The Minister specifically cited a tragic accident on November 29, 2025, on the Mulund Link Road, where a woman lost her life while traveling on an unauthorized bike taxi. An FIR (No. 0479) has already been registered at the Navghar Police Station.
Apart from safety concerns, the Minister noted that these apps are conducting financial transactions in open violation of transport regulations. This has created unfair competition and negatively impacted the livelihoods of licensed auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers who follow legal protocols.
The state government is committed to the safety of its citizens. Any unauthorized system that violates the law will not be shielded, he warned. (UNI)
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