Shashank Rao, President of the Joint Action Committee, stated that the government has approved e-bike taxis under the guise of providing self-employment opportunities to unemployed youth
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The Autorickshaw Drivers-Owners’ Association Joint Action Committee of Maharashtra has announced a statewide protest on May 21, 2025, in opposition to the Maharashtra government’s decision to approve e-bike taxi services. Demonstrations are set to take place in front of all Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) across the state.
Shashank Rao, President of the Joint Action Committee, stated that the government has approved e-bike taxis under the guise of providing self-employment opportunities to unemployed youth. However, the committee argues that this decision poses a serious threat to the livelihood of approximately 1.5 lakh autorickshaw drivers across Maharashtra.
“Our organisation raised concerns before the government-appointed committee that was tasked with evaluating the feasibility of e-bike taxis. Despite this, the government proceeded without consulting us before granting approval. This unilateral decision disregards the concerns of the existing public transport sector,” Rao said in a statement.
A joint meeting of autorickshaw association leaders from Mumbai, Konkan, Western Maharashtra, Vidarbha, Marathwada, Khandesh, and rural regions took place on April 27, 2025. During the meeting, it was unanimously decided to hold a protest on May 21, 2025, to demand an immediate rollback of the e-bike taxi approval.
The Autorickshaw Joint Action Committee has called on all affiliated organisations and their members to join the protests, urging the government to reconsider its policy in order to protect the livelihoods of traditional rickshaw drivers and ensure fair decision-making in the transport sector.
The state government, in its cabinet meeting held in April, gave its approval for e-bike taxis, expected to generate 10,000 employment opportunities in Mumbai and an equal number in the rest of Maharashtra.
Speaking to media persons after the meeting, state Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, said, “The decision will enable people to travel more at less cost. A trip which would have earlier cost Rs 100 will now cost around Rs 30 to Rs 40.” However, the minister clarified that the travel rates have yet to be worked out for the e-bike taxis that will come into operation.
State Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik further stated that in order to ensure that there is no damage to the environment (pollution) only e-bikes will be given permission for the business. Asked about the safety of passengers, Sarnaik claimed that modalities have been worked out. “Regulations are being worked out to ensure the safety of passengers, especially women travellers,” the minister added.
Besides making commuting cheaper for travellers, the policy aims to provide job opportunities for nearly 20,000 people across Maharashtra. “In Mumbai itself, we expect 10,000 job opportunities and an equal number of opportunities in the rest of Maharashtra,” Sarnaik claimed.
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