Maharashtra bike taxi crackdown intensifies as the state seeks to block Ola, Uber and Rapido services over alleged transport law violations.

Maharashtra transport minister Pratap Sarnaik has sought an immediate shutdown of bike taxi services run by Ola, Uber and Rapido, along with FIRs against company owners and management. The state alleged that the platforms were operating without valid permissions and lacked adequate passenger safety safeguards.

In a letter dated May 12 to the Additional Director General of Police, Maharashtra Cyber, Sarnaik alleged that companies such as Ola, Uber and Rapido have been operating passenger transport services in Maharashtra without valid permissions, government approval or compliance with transport department regulations.

The minister stated that the increasing number of bike taxis, particularly those operated through Rapido, posed a serious threat to public safety. The letter alleged that the services lacked adequate safeguards such as driver verification, insurance protection, women’s safety measures and emergency response mechanisms.

Source: Indian Express