Maharashtra Cracks Down on Illegal Bike Taxis in Mumbai

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region has been witnessing a rise in illegal bike taxi services, prompting the Maharashtra government to warn of strict action against violators.

The state Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced in the legislative council that cases have been filed against companies violating rules and their temporary permits have been cancelled.

Responding to a notice raised under Rule 93 by member Sunil Shinde, the minister stated that according to the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines 2020 issued by the central government, Maharashtra has framed a separate policy for e-bike (two-wheeler) taxi services.

The policy received approval from the state cabinet on August 7, 2024, and the government decided to allow e-bike taxi services in cities with a population of more than one lakh.

Under this decision, the Maharashtra E‑Bike Taxi Rules 2024 were notified, making it mandatory for bike taxis to be 100% electric. Applicants were given a fixed time period to comply with all conditions and regulations. Accordingly, companies such as Uber, Rapido, and Ola were granted provisional licences for 30 days to operate in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

During this period, they were expected to fulfil all requirements and obtain final licences. However, it was found that some companies started operating bike taxi services illegally without meeting the rules. Complaints have also emerged in some areas regarding accidents and concerns over women’s safety involving bike taxi drivers.

The Transport Department has issued notices to the companies, and in some cases police complaints have been registered. Regional and sub-regional transport offices across the state have been instructed to take strict action against illegal bike taxis. Inspection teams are conducting checks and imposing penalties on violators.

Since April 2024, action has been taken against 130 two-wheelers, and fines exceeding INR 33 lakh have been collected. Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said the government is committed to ensuring that bike taxi services operate only under proper regulations and safety norms, and any violation of the rules will not be tolerated.