Maharashtra Orders Removal of Uber, Ola, Rapido Bike Taxi Services
The Maharashtra government has directed Apple and Google to remove Uber, Ola, and Rapido apps from their stores due to illegal bike taxi operations. Citing safety concerns, inadequate driver verification, and a recent fatal incident involving a female passenger, authorities invoked the Information Technology Act to enforce compliance with the Motor Vehicles Act. While social media rumors suggested a total ban, officials clarified that only unauthorized two-wheeler services are targeted, leaving cab and food delivery operations unaffected. This move underscores strict regulatory enforcement on digital mobility platforms in the state.
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Maharashtra Govt Retracts Order to Remove Ola, Uber, Rapido from App Stores
The Maharashtra government has paused its directive to Apple and Google to remove ride-hailing applications Ola, Uber, and Rapido from their respective app stores, just one day after issuing the order. The initial notice, served by the State Cyber Department under Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act, 2000, cited illegal bike taxi operations as the primary violation. However, legal experts highlighted significant defensibility issues with the broad ban, prompting authorities to seek a more targeted approach. Officials now aim to cease specific bike taxi services without disrupting legitimate cab and auto-rickshaw operations provided by these platforms. The conflict stems from long-standing non-compliance by these companies regarding state licensing rules, particularly the Maharashtra Bike-Taxi Rules 2025, which mandate electric vehicles for commercial two-wheeler transport. Despite previous license revocations and fines totaling Rs 11.85 lakh between April 2025 and March 2026, the platforms continued operations, leading to this escalated but subsequently reconsidered regulatory action.
The Indian ExpressMaharashtra Seeks Removal of Uber, Ola, Rapido Apps Over Illegal Bike Taxis
The Maharashtra government has formally requested Google and Apple to remove ride-hailing applications such as Uber, Ola, and Rapido from their respective app stores. This directive targets the unauthorized operation of bike taxi services within the state, which are currently banned. The Maharashtra Cyber Department stated that these platforms are operating without valid permissions or compliance with the Motor Vehicles Act, posing significant risks to passenger safety. Authorities highlighted inadequate driver verification, insufficient insurance protections, and poor emergency response systems as critical concerns. The decision follows reports of rash driving and a recent incident involving the alleged death of a woman using a bike taxi service, which has led to registered criminal cases. Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik directed the filing of First Information Reports (FIRs) against the companies for violating state laws. While social media rumors suggested a complete shutdown of all services by these aggregators, the Directorate General of Information and Public Relations clarified that the enforcement action is strictly limited to illegal bike taxi operations, not the companies' other transport services.
NDTV News Search Records Found 1000Maharashtra Government Clarifies: Only Bike Taxis Face Ban, Not Full Shutdown of Uber and Ola
The Maharashtra government has officially refuted widespread social media rumors claiming that major ride-hailing platforms Uber, Ola, and Rapido are being completely shut down across the state. The Directorate General of Information and Public Relations (DGIPR) labeled these reports as misleading, clarifying that the regulatory action is specifically targeted at unauthorized bike taxi services rather than all app-based transport options. This clarification follows directives from Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, who instructed the Cyber Crime department to file First Information Reports (FIRs) against the companies for operating illegal bike taxis. Sarnaik cited significant public safety concerns, including inadequate passenger verification, lack of insurance coverage, and insufficient emergency response systems. He also highlighted numerous complaints regarding harassment and fraud, particularly affecting women users. The government argues that these services fail to comply with existing transport regulations and licensing norms. While the ban on bike taxis proceeds due to these legal and safety violations, standard car-hailing services remain operational. The involved companies have not yet issued official statements regarding the recent enforcement actions and legal challenges posed by the state administration.
NDTV News Search Records Found 1000Maharashtra Cyber Orders App Stores to Remove Illegal Bike Taxi Apps
Maharashtra Cyber has initiated strict action against illegal bike taxi services operating across the state by issuing notices to major mobile app store platforms. The authorities have directed these platforms to remove applications that facilitate unauthorized bike taxi operations. This crackdown follows a formal complaint lodged by the office of Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik regarding the unchecked functioning of such services. The notice, issued under Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act, 2000, emphasizes the need to safeguard public safety and ensure compliance with existing laws. App store platforms were warned that failure to comply could result in liability under Section 85(2) of the IT Act. This development occurs amidst broader regulatory scrutiny of bike taxi aggregators in India. Earlier in March, the Maharashtra government revoked provisional licenses for some aggregators for failing to meet requirements, such as using mandatory electric vehicles. The move highlights ongoing tensions between digital mobility platforms and traditional transport regulations concerning licensing and passenger safety.
Economic TimesMaharashtra Cyber Orders Removal of Uber, Ola, and Rapido Apps Over Illegal Bike Taxis
The Maharashtra State Cyber department has issued formal notices to Apple and Google, demanding the immediate removal of Uber, Ola, and Rapido applications from their respective app stores. This directive, issued on May 15, 2026, targets the alleged illegal operation of bike taxi services within the state. The action follows a request from Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, who argued that these platforms are operating without valid government approvals or compliance with the Motor Vehicles Act. The notices cite significant safety concerns, including inadequate driver verification and insurance, highlighting a recent incident involving the death of a woman passenger as a critical factor. Authorities warned that failure to comply could result in legal action under the Information Technology Act. While cab and food delivery services remain unaffected, the state government emphasizes that the current crackdown aims to ensure passenger safety and align with Maharashtra’s electric vehicle policies. Minister Sarnaik stated that women's safety takes precedence over employment opportunities provided by these aggregators, noting that the current fleet largely consists of petrol vehicles rather than the mandated electric ones.
The Indian ExpressMaharashtra Government Orders Apple and Google to Remove Uber, Ola, and Rapido Apps
The Maharashtra State Cyber Department has issued formal notices to Apple and Google, demanding the immediate removal of Uber, Ola, and Rapido from their respective app stores in India. The directive targets the platforms' bike taxi services, which the state government deems illegal under current transport regulations and the Motor Vehicles Act. The notices invoke Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act, warning that non-compliance could result in legal action against the tech giants for failing to adhere to law enforcement directives. Key reasons cited for the ban include the operation of passenger transport services without valid permissions, inadequate driver verification, and insufficient safety measures for women. The move follows a tragic incident involving the death of a woman using a bike taxi service, alongside broader concerns about the low adoption of electric vehicles in the sector. Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik confirmed the action, emphasizing that passenger safety and compliance with the state's Electric Vehicle policy are paramount. While other services like cab and food delivery remain unaffected, this escalation marks a significant crackdown on unauthorized two-wheeler aggregators in the region.
The Indian Express