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Transport minister writes to cyber police seeking shutdown of bike taxi apps
Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik wrote to the state cybercrime department urging the immediate shutdown of allegedly illegal bike taxi apps and FIRs against company owners, as part of a broader crackdown on ride-sharing platforms. The move follows prior regulatory actions in 2025 and early 2026, including provisional licences, a fatal November 2025 incident leading to an FIR, and the March 2026 revocation of provisional licences.
Why It Matters
The action signals a tougher enforcement stance on ride-sharing platforms amid safety and regulatory concerns, with potential impacts on passengers, drivers, and licensed operators.
Timeline
5 Events
May 12, 2026: Transport commissioner sends similar letter
May 12, 2026
The transport commissioner also sent a similar letter to the cybercrime department, reinforcing calls for action against unauthorised bike taxi apps.
May 12, 2026: Transport minister writes to cybercrime department
May 12, 2026
Maharashtra transport minister Pratap Sarnaik sent a letter to the state cybercrime department requesting the immediate shutdown of allegedly illegal bike taxi apps and the registration of FIRs against the companies’ owners, citing lack of permissions, safety concerns and passenger risk.
March 2026: Provisional licences revoked
March 2026
The state revoked the provisional licences of Rapido, Ola and Uber for failing to comply with the Maharashtra Bike-Taxi Rules 2025.
November 2025: FIR registered following unauthorised bike-taxi incident
November 2025
An incident on the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road in which a 49-year-old woman travelling on an allegedly unauthorised bike taxi died led to the registration of an FIR.
September 2025: Provisional licences granted to bike-taxi operators
September 2025
The state government granted provisional 30-day bike taxi licences to Rapido, Ola and Uber, giving them a window to transition their fleets and submit compliance documents.