The Maharashtra government has intensified its crackdown on bike-taxi services such as Uber, Ola, and Rapido. The state’s cyber agencies have issued notices to Apple and Google, directing them to remove these applications from the App Store and Play Store.
The government has now adopted a strict stance regarding app-based bike-taxi services in Maharashtra. The state’s cyber agencies have sent notices to Apple and Google, instructing them to delist platforms like Uber, Ola, and Rapido from their respective app stores. This action stems from the belief that numerous bike-taxi services within the state are operating without the necessary permits.
This notice was issued on May 15 by the Maharashtra Cyber Department and the office of the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), acting under Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act, 2000. The entire matter came to the fore when Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik wrote a letter to the Cyber Department, demanding action against bike-taxi aggregators.
What is the Government’s Objection?
The government alleges that several bike-taxi services operating through platforms like Uber, Ola, and Rapido are failing to comply with the state’s existing transport regulations. It has been reported that numerous bike-taxis are plying the roads without the requisite permits, licenses, or departmental approvals.
The notice also expresses grave concerns regarding passenger safety. According to the government, safety mechanisms—such as driver verification, insurance coverage, women’s safety protocols, and emergency response systems—are currently inadequate. Furthermore, there have been persistent complaints regarding speeding and reckless driving by bike-taxi operators.
Officials also cited a recent accident in which a woman, allegedly associated with a bike-taxi service, lost her life. It was following this incident that the government began to treat this matter with heightened seriousness.
Warning to the Companies
The Maharashtra Cyber Department has issued a clear warning to Apple and Google, stating that failure to comply with the directives issued by Indian law enforcement agencies could result in legal action being initiated against them. The notice states that since both Google and Apple conduct business in India, they are required to comply with Indian laws. It further warns that if timely action is not taken—and should a major accident or unlawful incident occur in the future—the liability of the respective companies could also be established.
The Electric Vehicle Policy: A Contributing Factor
Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has stated that while the government is not opposed to bike-taxi services, it requires that these services be operated using electric vehicles. Under the state’s EV policy, the use of electric bikes is being promoted over petrol-powered bikes.
According to the government, aggregator companies were granted time to submit the necessary documentation and commence operations in accordance with the regulations; however, many companies have yet to complete this process. The Minister asserts that a significant number of illegal, petrol-powered bike taxis continue to operate within the state.
However, for the time being, this enforcement action is limited exclusively to bike-taxi services. Cab, auto-rickshaw, and delivery services will continue to operate as usual.
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