Mumbai, March 9: Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik on Monday addressed the media and explained the state government’s decision regarding bike taxi operations, stating that the permission initially granted was limited to electric bike taxis.
Speaking to reporters, Sarnaik said the move was taken to make transport more affordable for commuters who often pay significantly higher fares for taxis and auto rickshaws. According to him, the government believed electric bike taxis could offer a cheaper and more convenient travel option for people across the state.
He said companies such as Ola, Uber and Rapido were granted temporary licences to run electric bike taxis. At the same time, the government had issued notices asking these companies to complete necessary documentation and obtain permanent licences.
Petrol Bike Taxis Operated Despite Government Decision
However, Sarnaik claimed that several operators continued to run petrol powered bikes on the roads instead of electric vehicles, which he said was a clear violation of the permission granted by the state government.
He told the media that the temporary licence was meant only as an interim arrangement while companies completed the required procedures for permanent approval. Despite this, operators allegedly deployed a large number of bikes on the roads without adhering to the conditions.
The minister said this raised serious regulatory concerns, as the operations were not aligned with the government’s original decision to promote electric mobility.
Complaints And Safety Concerns Raised
Sarnaik further stated that the government received numerous complaints related to bike taxi services. Among the issues raised were concerns about women’s safety while using such services.
He also mentioned that some incidents had led to formal complaints being filed. According to the minister, cases were registered against certain bike taxi owners and drivers following these complaints.
Despite action being taken, Sarnaik said several operators continued to run bike taxis on city roads, prompting the government to take a stricter stand on the issue.
He added that the matter was also discussed in the Legislative Assembly after a question was raised by MLA Sunil Shinde regarding the permissions granted to companies operating bike taxi services in the state.
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