Fact Check: Has Maharashtra Banned Ola, Uber, and Rapido Services? Here’s The Truth

Amid

widespread confusion on social media over the status of ride-hailing platforms in Maharashtra, the state government on Saturday stepped in to clear the air and dismiss claims suggesting a total shutdown of services like Ola, Uber, and Rapido.In a post on X, the Maharashtra Directorate General of Information and Public Relations (DGIPR) stated that the rumours being shared on social media were ''inaccurate and misleading.''"The claim circulating on social media that all services of Ola, Uber, and Rapido have been completely shut down in Maharashtra is misleading," it said.

A message circulating on social media had earlier alleged that the Maharashtra government was planning a statewide ban on services such as Ola, Uber, and Rapido. However, officials clarified that no such blanket restriction is being imposed, and the action is limited only to bike taxi operations.The clarification follows Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik’s directive on Saturday instructing the Cyber Crime department to register FIRs against Ola, Uber, and Rapido over alleged illegal bike taxi services in the state."Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has written to the Cyber Crime department demanding the immediate shutdown of unauthorised bike taxi app services like Ola, Uber, and Rapido, and the filing of FIRs against the respective company owners," the Maharashtra DGIPR said in its post.The companies involved have not yet issued an official response. Meanwhile, bike taxi services in Maharashtra have repeatedly faced regulatory challenges over licensing issues and compliance with transport laws.In his letter to the department on Tuesday, Sarnaik stated that app-based bike services are not complying with safety norms and could pose a serious risk to public safety.He also raised concerns over the absence of proper safeguards for passengers, including verification processes, insurance coverage, women’s safety protocols, and emergency response mechanisms."Several complaints have been received from women, and FIRs have also been registered in cases of alleged harassment and fraud. In such a situation, if they misuse their influence and operate illegally, and if the RTO department does not take action, then that is clearly wrong," Sarnaik told reporters later.