"Don't strike at the stomachs of Marathi rickshaw drivers": Sanjay Raut urges Maharashtra Transport Minister

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut appealed to Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik to protect the interests of Marathi auto-rickshaw drivers, saying he was speaking on behalf of thousands of drivers who were "terrified" following a recent incident during a Ganpati procession in Mazgaon.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has urged Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik to reconsider the government's decision to allow app-based bike taxi services, warning that the move could adversely affect thousands of auto-rickshaw drivers who depend on the profession for their livelihood. In a letter dated August 23, Raut said he was raising the issue on behalf of unemployed and working Marathi youth and claimed that many young people across the state depend on driving auto-rickshaws to support their families.

Raut said that during his visit to Nashik on August 16, more than 100 Marathi youths met him and expressed concerns over their livelihoods. In the letter, Raut said, "Today, not thousands but lakhs of youths in the state depend on driving rickshaws for their livelihood. As the government is not providing employment, graduates and educated youths can be seen driving rickshaws day and night."

He further raised concerns over the government's decision to allow bike taxi services through Rapido, Ola and Uber, saying the move could directly affect existing auto-rickshaw operators. Raut wrote, "Now your government has taken a decision that bike taxi services will be started through Ola, Uber and the 'Rapido app'. The biggest impact of these 'Rapido' bike taxis will be on rickshaw drivers at tourist destinations in several cities. The decision taken by the Transport Ministry regarding 'Rapido' bike taxis is pushing Marathi unemployed rickshaw drivers across the state towards suicide."

Raut also claimed that there was widespread anger among auto-rickshaw drivers over the proposed bike taxi services and said their organisations had been attempting to meet the Transport Minister to discuss the issue. According to the letter, auto-rickshaw drivers had planned a march from Nashik to Mantralaya on August 10 to draw attention to their concerns, but Raut claimed permission for the protest was denied.

He questioned whether rickshaw drivers should be prevented from raising their concerns through democratic means and urged the government to engage with their representatives. The Shiv Sena (UBT) MP's intervention comes amid the wider debate over app-based mobility services and their impact on traditional transport operators. While bike taxis are being presented as an additional transport option, existing auto-rickshaw drivers have expressed concerns over competition and the potential impact on their earnings.

Raut has now appealed to Sarnaik to reconsider the policy and take into account the concerns of auto-rickshaw drivers before proceeding with the expansion of bike taxi services in the state. In 2025, Maharashtra cracked down on illegal bike taxi services in the state, with Minister Sarnaik highlighting that proper permits are required to operate vechicles in a commercial capacity. As part of the initiative, stated that it seized 72 cars during raids at 138 locations in one incident, with action being taken in coordination with the RTOs and police.Notably, as per Section 93 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, it is mandatory to obtain a valid permit to operate any passenger transport service. However, it was found that some app-based companies and drivers are blatantly violating these rules and engaging in illegal transportation activities. (ANI)