In a surprise move that embarrassed his department, Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik exposed the illegal operation of app-based taxis in Mumbai by booking a ride himself through the Rapido app. His action was taken, followed by receiving senior officials’ assurances that such services were not operational.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Sarnaik stated, “I booked a ride from Mantralaya to Dadar using a different name. Within 10 minutes, the rider reached Babu Genu Junction.” The fare charged by the app was Rs 195.

The minister’s decision to go undercover was taken after a senior transport official claimed that app-based bike taxis had stopped operations. To confirm it, Sarnaik decided to test the claim himself. The official told him nothing was running illegally.

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No action was taken against the rider

When the Rapido arrived, Sarnaik disclosed his identity. “I am the transport minister. These rules are made for your own protection,” he stated to the rider. He also offered him Rs 500 as a goodwill gesture, which the biker refused to take and clarified that no action would be taken against him. “Filing a case against someone like you won’t help,” Sarnaik further added. “Our real focus is on those running these illegal platforms.”

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Official policy is still pending

The Maharashtra government has yet to issue official guidelines under the recently announced e-bike policy. This policy would allow the aggregator-based services in cities with populations of more than one lakh, but only after they are able to meet specific compliance rules. Until the rules are officially notified, such operations continue to be illegal, as per a PTI report.

Last month, the state transport commissioner’s office filed FIRs against bike taxi platforms Uber and Rapido at the Azad Maidan police station for allegedly operating without getting legal approval.

Meanwhile, a proposal indicating a minor revision to the earlier regulatory framework is currently under government consideration.