In response to the Maharashtra government's recent decision to permit e-bike taxis as a self-employment initiative for unemployed youth, a prominent auto rickshaw union has raised strong objections.
Auto Rickshaw Driver-Owner Association's Joint Action Committee, Maharashtra, has formally opposed the decision, citing severe consequences for existing drivers' livelihoods.
In a letter addressed to Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, union president Shashank Rao has demanded the immediate withdrawal of the e-bike taxi approval. Rao stated that the policy was implemented without consulting key stakeholders, branding the move as unilateral and unjust
The Auto Rickshaw Driver-Owner Association's Joint Action Committee, Maharashtra, has threatened to launch a statewide agitation if the government doesn't roll back the policy.
The union has called for a meeting of all affiliated union leaders across Maharashtra on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at 11 am in Mumbai to decide on the next course of protest.
The union also voiced its concerns during a hearing with the government-appointed committee set up to review the policy. It warned that allowing e-bike taxis would destabilize the already struggling rickshaw industry, which has over 4.5 lakh rickshaws in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and more than 12 lakh statewide.
"Many rickshaw drivers are already under financial stress following the COVID-19 pandemic," the union said in a statement. "Burdened by debt and without any significant aid from the government, they now face a new threat to their survival."
The union also criticised the government's ongoing failure to regulate aggregator companies like Ola and Uber, claiming these services have historically violated rules without consequence. They fear that e-bike taxis, potentially operated by similar companies, will further erode the market for traditional transport providers.
Citing the lack of regulatory oversight, the union warned that the introduction of e-bike taxis could result in unmanageable competition and economic distress for tens of thousands of families dependent on auto-rickshaws.
In place of the e-bike taxi initiative, the union urged the state to strengthen the welfare board for rickshaw drivers and implement supportive schemes that directly benefit the community.
