Major Crackdown on Ola Uber and Rapido as Maharashtra Moves to Remove Apps from Play Store

A major controversy has erupted in Maharashtra’s ride hailing sector as Ola Uber and Rapido face strict action from the state government over alleged violations related to bike taxi operations. The government has now taken the matter directly to tech giants Google and Apple, requesting the removal of these apps from their platforms.

The move has created uncertainty for users who regularly depend on bike taxis to navigate traffic or reach destinations quickly. According to officials, the apps are operating bike taxi services without proper permissions and without fully complying with transport regulations under the Motor Vehicles Act.

The action was triggered after Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik wrote to the cyber department on May 12, raising concerns about illegal bike taxi operations in the state. Following this, the Maharashtra Cyber Department issued an official notice on May 15, citing provisions of the IT Act 2000 and urging immediate action against the platforms.

Authorities have expressed serious concerns over passenger safety, especially for women. The notice highlights gaps in driver verification, insurance coverage and emergency response systems offered by these platforms. Officials believe these shortcomings could put commuters at risk. The issue gained further attention after a recent bike taxi accident that reportedly resulted in the death of a woman, prompting police investigation.

At the heart of the dispute is the allegation that these companies are running transport services without legal approval. The government argues that they are bypassing regulatory requirements while continuing to offer rides across major cities. Officials also claim that only electric bike taxis are permitted under the state’s EV policy, while petrol powered two wheelers are being used extensively without authorization.

Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik clarified that the government is not against bike taxi services itself but is strictly opposed to violations of rules. He also pointed out that companies were given a one month deadline to complete required documentation, but allegedly failed to submit the necessary papers.

Another serious allegation has been made against Rapido. The minister claimed that the company encourages drivers to pay fines issued during RTO checks, with assurances that reimbursement will be provided upon submission of receipts. Authorities view this as an attempt to normalize regulatory violations rather than prevent them.

Despite the strong action, the crackdown is currently limited only to bike taxi services. Other offerings from these platforms such as car rides, auto services and food delivery operations continue to function normally in the state.

Officials believe that stricter enforcement may be required if compliance does not improve. However, for now, the focus remains solely on the legality and safety concerns surrounding bike taxi operations in Maharashtra.