Undercover Operation: Maharashtra Minister Busts Illegal Bike Taxi in Mumbai
In a dramatic and hands-on move, Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik went undercover to expose the operation of unauthorised bike taxis in Mumbai. Booking a ride through the Rapido app under an assumed name, the Minister caught a bike taxi operating in violation of state regulations — revealing gaps between official claims and ground realities.
The incident took place at Shaheed Babu Genu Chowk near Mantralaya, the seat of the Maharashtra government. Within ten minutes of placing the booking, a Rapido driver arrived to complete the ride. The Minister, who was waiting at the spot in disguise, intercepted the rider and confirmed that the operation was unauthorised.
This surprise check directly contradicted the Transport Department’s earlier assertion that no unauthorised bike taxi services were currently active in Mumbai. The department had claimed that platforms like Rapido were not functioning illegally in the city. However, Sarnaik’s sting operation proved otherwise.
As per Maharashtra’s newly introduced e-bike taxi policy, only electric two-wheelers that meet specific regulatory requirements are allowed to operate as bike taxis. The Rapido bike involved in this case reportedly did not comply with those norms and was operating without necessary permits.
Speaking to reporters after the incident, Sarnaik made it clear that his target was not the rider but the larger system enabling such unauthorised operations. “We will not achieve anything by filing a case against a poor person like him,” Sarnaik said. “However, the bigwigs hiding behind this should be punished! That is our intention.”
The Minister also handed the rider ₹500 as a goodwill gesture and urged authorities to focus enforcement on the companies running such services without proper licensing, rather than penalising the low-income drivers trying to earn a livelihood.
This bold move has sparked fresh conversation around regulation and enforcement in India’s rapidly growing app-based transport sector. While platforms like Rapido have gained popularity for their convenience and affordability, they have also been under scrutiny in multiple states over legal and safety concerns.
Sarnaik’s action has been widely appreciated for its directness and effectiveness. It has also put pressure on the Transport Department to reassess its oversight mechanisms and improve ground-level enforcement to match policy decisions.
Meanwhile, the Transport Ministry is expected to launch further investigations into unauthorised bike taxi operations across Mumbai and other urban centres in the state. Stricter checks and more accountability from service providers are now anticipated in the coming days.
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