Crackdown on Unauthorized Bike Taxi Apps in Maharashtra

Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has ordered the closure of unauthorized bike taxi apps like Ola, Uber, and Rapido, citing legal violations and safety concerns. These services operate illegally without proper permissions, impacting licensed drivers and posing safety risks to passengers. Legal action under relevant acts is recommended.

Maharashtra's Transport Minister, Pratap Sarnaik, has taken a firm stance against unauthorized bike taxi apps operating in the state. In a directive issued on Tuesday, he instructed the cyber crime department of the police to shut down these services provided by companies such as Ola, Uber, and Rapido.

Sarnaik expressed concerns over these bike taxi services operating without the necessary permissions, violating government regulations, and affecting the livelihoods of licensed rickshaw and taxi drivers. He emphasized that these apps also compromise public safety due to inadequate safety measures.

The minister highlighted an incident involving an illegal bike taxi resulting in a fatal accident, urging immediate shutdowns and legal action against those responsible under the Information Technology Act and Motor Vehicles Act.