Maharashtra transport commissioner Rajesh Narvekar stated on Wednesday that the state's cab aggregator policy, designed to establish uniform regulations for aggregator companies across Maharashtra, is anticipated to be implemented this month. He further noted that the draft policy includes provisions for app-based cooperative aggregator services, under which the proposed Bharat Taxi initiative falls.
“With the state’s policy likely to be announced soon, Bharat Taxi can also be launched as its regulations will already be incorporated in the policy,” Narvekar told TOI.
Narvekar attributed delays in the long-awaited policy to frequent changes in guidelines issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways for cab aggregators, as well as the complex and evolving nature of the sector.
On Tuesday, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that the government would soon frame guidelines to permit app-based cooperative taxi services, aiming to provide economic stability and social security to drivers. Sources indicated that Bharat Taxi would first be introduced in Mumbai before expanding to Pune and Nagpur.
“The dynamics of aggregator services are extensive. We are also trying to incorporate various central government guidelines into the policy so that repeated amendments are not required in future,” Narvekar explained. The policy has been under discussion since mid-2024. In October last year, the state government invited suggestions and objections to the draft policy. Following the consultation process, Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik stated that the policy would be released within days. However, that never materialized, causing frustration among cab operators and gig worker groups.
Keshav Kshirsagar, president of the Indian Gig Workers Front, said several objections were raised against the draft policy, but requests for meetings with the transport department and the minister were never fulfilled. “At present, it is claimed that central aggregator policy regulations are being followed. In Pune, two aggregators have started implementing state-approved fares while another is yet to do so. We have removed onlymeter.in, but issues faced by drivers continue. The delay indicates that the government is not serious about bringing in a comprehensive aggregator policy,” he said.
Key provisions proposed in the draft policy include discounts of up to 25% during low-demand periods, surge pricing capped at 1.5 times the base fare during peak demand, penalties for ride refusals, fines for passengers cancelling rides, mandatory refresher training for poorly rated drivers, removal of poorly maintained vehicles from platforms, and a requirement that drivers receive at least 80% of the fare.
Commuters emphasized that implementation is more critical than the policy itself. Pune resident Anand Shinde noted that many drivers still demand Rs 25-30 per km, charge extra for air-conditioning, and ignore approved fare structures. “Without strict enforcement and regular checks, even the best policy will remain ineffective,” he said.
