Chennai Transport Commissioner Issues Strict Ban on Goods Transport via Passenger Vehicles
In a significant regulatory move, Tamil Nadu State Transport Commissioner Kiran Gurrala has issued formal directives to major app-based platforms including Uber, Porter, and Rapido, ordering them to immediately cease using two-wheelers and passenger autorickshaws for transporting goods within Chennai.
Legal Grounds and Penalties for Violations
The commissioner's letters, dated February 16 and accessed by media, clearly state that passenger autorickshaws operate under contract carriage permits which explicitly prohibit their use as goods carriages. Any violations will attract strict action under Sections 192A and 207 of the Tamil Nadu Motor Vehicle Rules.
The enforcement measures include:
- Immediate seizure of vehicles found violating permit conditions
- Fines up to ₹5,000 for first-time offences
- Increased penalties of ₹10,000 for repeat violations
- Mandatory reporting of app details and vehicle particulars to the commissioner's office
Enhanced Enforcement and Inspection Protocols
Separately, Commissioner Gurrala has instructed enforcement officials to conduct surprise inspections during morning and evening hours starting Tuesday. Officials have been directed to be particularly vigilant about vehicles operating through app-based platforms and to immediately report all violation details to the transport commissioner's office for further action.
Driver Protests Lead to Regulatory Action
The regulatory crackdown follows continuous protests and repeated complaints by the Federation of Tamil Nadu Auto and Call Taxi Drivers' Associations. The drivers' group has consistently accused app platforms of eroding their livelihoods by allowing goods movement through passenger vehicles and two-wheelers, which they claim creates unfair competition.
Explaining the decision to temporarily suspend protests from Tuesday, A Zakir Hussain, president of the federation, stated, "The transport department assured action not only against app platforms but also against YouTubers and social media influencers who spread reels claiming private white-board vehicles can be illegally used for hire."
Mixed Reactions from Chennai Residents
While the move has been welcomed by traditional transport operators, some commuters expressed concerns about service disruption. Many residents had come to rely on these app-based services for short-distance deliveries within the city.
D Ramakrishnan, a resident from Adambakkam, highlighted the practical benefits these services provided: "Delivery apps helped send small courier packets and food to schools or offices during afternoons, reducing pressure to prepare everything early in the morning. For a 10-km delivery within Chennai, app-based services and couriers cost ₹130–180, but apps deliver within one hour while couriers take one day or more."
The commissioner's action represents a significant shift in Chennai's urban transport regulation, balancing traditional transport operators' concerns against emerging app-based delivery models that had gained popularity among city residents for their convenience and speed.
