Mumbai: In a dramatic turn of events, Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik personally exposed illegal operations of popular bike taxi service Rapido, which has been operating without official approval in the state.
Despite clear government directives and the absence of any formal permission, Rapido Bike was found functioning in Mumbai, violating the state's newly announced e-bike taxi policy. The policy, which aims to regulate two-wheeler taxi services, only allows electric vehicles that meet specific criteria to operate legally.
To verify reports of unauthorized services, Minister Sarnaik conducted a sting operation using a pseudonym to book a ride through the Rapido app. Within ten minutes, a bike arrived at Babu Genu Chowk, near Mantralaya – the state’s administrative headquarters.
According to sources, vehicle, bearing registration number MH 01 EU 8501, was part of Rapido’s fleet. Sarnaik offered Rs 500 to the unsuspecting rider and made it clear he had no intention of penalizing the individual driver.
“Filing a case against a poor man like you won’t achieve anything,” the minister reportedly told the rider. “However, our aim is to bring down the big players hiding behind such operations.”The incident has sparked widespread concern over the accountability of transport department officials.
According to sources, before conducting a reality check, the minister had asked a transport department official whether illegal bike taxis were operating in Mumbai. The official had categorically denied the existence of any such illegal operations. However, the minister himself has now exposed the scam.
Rickshaw and taxi operators, who have long opposed bike taxis, welcomed the minister’s step. “This incident now raises a critical question: What action will be taken against officials who provided false information to the minister?” said Shyam Singh, a rickshaw driver from Mumbai’s suburban area.
