16 July,2025 10:34 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
File pic.
Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) have registered cases against 123 bike taxis operating in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, the Maharashtra Transport Department announced on Wednesday, reported news agency PTI.
The department stated that 76 of these 123 two-wheelers were seized, and cases were registered against the concerned riders under the Motor Vehicles Rules. Legal action has also been initiated against illegal app-based aggregators, an official release confirmed.
The enforcement drive was conducted by 20 flying squads from RTOs across Mumbai, Thane, Vasai, Vashi, and Panvel.
The transport department clarified that government permission is mandatory to operate any form of passenger transport. However, none of the companies involved had obtained the necessary clearance and were operating illegally, reported PTI.
This action was prompted by several complaints regarding the illegal operation of bike taxis in the city. "The investigation revealed that app-based bike taxi services were operational across the metropolis. This not only resulted in a loss of government revenue but also raised safety concerns for passengers," the release stated.
The Maharashtra government recently issued a Government Resolution (GR) outlining new rules and regulations under the Maharashtra Bike-Taxi Rules, 2025.
These rules aim to regulate digital aggregators and operators of two-wheeler taxi services under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
According to PTI, as per Section 93 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2020, it is mandatory for such companies to obtain proper permits. However, these companies are allegedly operating bike taxi services without the required authorisation.
The transport department reiterated that none of the app-based aggregators had acquired the necessary permissions from the department. Earlier this month, Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik exposed their illegal operation by personally booking a bike taxi ride in Mumbai.
Separately, the Maharashtra government is focusing on strengthening the state's urban mobility network and exploring alternative transport modes to alleviate congestion in Mumbai, Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik told the legislative assembly on Wednesday.
His statements came in response to a calling attention notice by BJP MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar concerning a recent train accident in Mumbra that tragically claimed the lives of five commuters.
Sarnaik confirmed that the government is focused on enhancing the urban mobility network and investigating alternative transportation methods such as waterways, ropeways, and 'pod taxis' in Mumbai.
(With inputs from PTI)
