A simmering conflict between auto-rickshaw drivers and bike taxi operators in Tamil Nadu has boiled over onto the streets, highlighting critical gaps in the state's transport regulations. The dispute, centered around the legality of app-based bike taxi services, escalated dramatically in the industrial belt of Sriperumbudur near Chennai.
Sting Operation and Protest by Auto Drivers
On Thursday, the tension transformed into direct action. A group of auto-rickshaw drivers in Sriperumbudur orchestrated a sting operation by booking rides through the popular Rapido bike taxi app. When the riders arrived at the designated location, the auto drivers seized their motorcycles and handed them over to the local Regional Transport Office (RTO), demanding official action against what they deem illegal operations.
The auto drivers' core grievance is that these two-wheelers are registered for private use but are being deployed for commercial passenger trips without proper permits. They argue this unfair competition has severely dented their earnings, especially in areas with high commuter traffic like industrial zones.
Livelihoods at Stake in Industrial Belts
Senthilkumaran, an auto driver from Sriperumbudur, voiced the community's frustration. "Several factory workers are booking Rapido rides from Sriperumbudur Bazaar to nearby industrial units. This has directly affected our livelihood," he stated. He explained that auto unions had filed numerous complaints with the RTO but, seeing no enforcement action, were forced to stage a protest outside the RTO office to demand justice.
The protest prompted RTO officials to intervene by holding talks with representatives from both the auto and bike taxi rider groups. However, officials revealed a fundamental problem: there are no specific rules or directions from the transport commissionerate to guide enforcement, leaving them in a bind.
A Regulatory Vacuum Waiting to be Filled
The legal ambiguity surrounding bike taxis in Tamil Nadu is not new. The Madras High Court had earlier cancelled a stay on bike taxi operations and directed the state government to frame proper rules. In response, the state transport department prepared draft guidelines. However, in a bureaucratic delay, these draft rules were sent to the home department, where they have reportedly been pending for nearly a year.
This prolonged delay has created a regulatory vacuum. Enforcement agencies like the RTO lack a clear legal framework to either legitimize or penalize bike taxi services, leading to confusion and street-level conflicts like the one in Sriperumbudur. The incident underscores the urgent need for the state government to finalize and notify comprehensive regulations for the rapidly growing bike taxi sector, balancing innovation with the protection of traditional transport livelihoods.
