Maharashtra sets September 1 deadline for Ola, Uber, Rapido licences
Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik on Thursday said app-based taxi aggregators, including Ola, Uber and Rapido, will have to apply for an aggregator licence by
Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik on Thursday said app-based taxi aggregators, including Ola, Uber and Rapido, will have to apply for an aggregator licence by September 1 or face action. He said the state government has already notified the aggregator rules and will grant licences to all aggregators that apply. Speaking to reporters at the Mantralaya in Mumbai, Sarnaik said only Bharat Taxi and Deodatta Taxi have been granted licences so far. He said other aggregators have not yet sought permission from the government.
Read Full Story "Other aggregators have not sought permission from us so far, but we will give them a September 1 deadline," Sarnaik said. He also directed Maharashtra Transport Commissioner Rajesh Narvekar to issue a notification later in the day. Sarnaik said aggregators that apply before the September 1 deadline will be granted permission, but they will have to operate in line with the aggregator rules. If they fail to do so, they will face action from the transport authorities, he added.
On July 15, the state government notified the Maharashtra Motor Vehicle Aggregator Rules, 2026, to regulate app-based aggregators. The rules provide a uniform regulatory framework for such services, make licences mandatory, prescribe passenger safety measures, and regulate fares and driver welfare. Under the notification issued last month, every aggregator operating in the state must obtain a licence from the competent authority and a Unique Licence Identification Number. It also says licences issued under the earlier framework will remain valid for 60 days from the start of the new rules or until fresh applications are decided, whichever is earlier.
In sum, the state has asked app-based taxi aggregators to apply for licences by September 1, with only Bharat Taxi and Deodatta Taxi having received approval so far, and has said action will follow if operators fail to comply with the new rules. Ends
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