The Maharashtra government has imposed a ban on bike taxi services operated by aggregators including Ola, Uber and Rapido, citing regulatory and legal concerns.
According to reports, authorities stated that bike taxi operations in the state were functioning without a proper legal framework and necessary approvals under existing transport regulations.
The decision is expected to significantly impact daily commuters in cities such as Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur, where bike taxis had become a popular low-cost and time-saving travel option amid growing traffic congestion.
Officials said the state government would take strict action against unauthorised bike taxi operations and aggregators violating transport norms.
The move has also triggered concerns among thousands of riders associated with bike taxi platforms who depend on the services for income and flexible employment opportunities.
Industry observers believe the ban could affect urban mobility and last-mile connectivity, especially for office-goers and students who rely on app-based bike transport during peak traffic hours.
The development comes amid ongoing debates in several Indian states over the legality, safety and regulation of bike taxi services. While some states have introduced policies permitting bike taxis under specific guidelines, others continue to oppose or restrict their operations.
Commuters and industry stakeholders are now awaiting clarity on whether Maharashtra will introduce a separate policy framework to regulate bike taxi services in the future