The government of Delhi is set to launch a comprehensive cab aggregator policy for all commercial vehicles. The policy will apply to two-wheelers and three-wheelers, as well as four-wheelers, and is aimed at preventing the use of two-wheelers for commercial purposes, such as bike taxis.
Policy to be Rolled Out in Accordance with Motor Vehicles Act
The Transport Minister of Delhi, Kailash Gahlot, made the announcement on Tuesday. He stated that the policy would be rolled out soon in accordance with the Motor Vehicles Act. The Minister warned bike taxi operators in Delhi that a fine of up to one lakh would be imposed on those found flouting the norms.
The move comes as a response to the increasing use of two-wheelers for commercial purposes, particularly in the form of bike taxis. While four-wheeler cabs such as Ola and Uber are common in the city, bike taxis offer a more affordable ride option. However, their use for commercial purposes is a violation of the Motor Vehicles Act.
The new policy will spell out the rules for all types of commercial vehicles, including four-wheelers. Delhi Transport Minister, Gahlot took to social media to announce that the aggregator policy for two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and four-wheelers was in its final stage and would be rolled out soon.
Crackdown on Illegal Commercial Use of Two-Wheelers
The Transport Department issued a public notice stating that two-wheelers with non-transport (private) registration numbers are being used for commercial purposes, which is a violation of the Motor Vehicles Act. The notice warned that violators could face a fine of up to ₹5,000 for the first offence, with subsequent violations attracting a fine of up to ₹10,000 and imprisonment for up to a year. The driver’s license could also be suspended for three months.
Government to Ensure Strict Compliance with Aggregator Policy
Delhi is the latest state in India to crack down on the illegal commercial use of two-wheelers. In 2019, the Supreme Court backed the Maharashtra government’s decision to grant a license to Rapido, one of the more popular bike taxi operators in India. The top court said that aggregators cannot operate without a valid license after amendments were made to the Motor Vehicles Act four years ago.
With the upcoming aggregator policy, the Delhi government hopes to put an end to the use of two-wheelers for commercial purposes and promote safer, legal transportation options for commuters in the city.
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