The RTO has clarified it has not granted permission for any bike taxi application to operate within the district
Kolhapur : The regional transport office (RTO) in the city has launched a major inspection drive against vehicles transporting passengers through bike taxi app (Rapido) and seized 10 such two-wheelers. Following complaints lodged by a local autorickshaw union, RTO officials intercepted and impounded 10 bikes. The vehicle owners were fined Rs10,000 each for operating passenger transport services without a valid commercial licence. The revised bike taxi rules have been in effect since July 2025.
Deputy regional transport Officer Manoj Otari said, “It is mandatory to obtain explicit permission from the transport office before commencing passenger transport operations. The RTO has urged citizens to avoid using these app-based transport services, clarifying that it has not granted permission for any bike taxi application to operate within the district. The online app, developed by a firm based in Hyderabad and Bengaluru, allows local youths to upload their Aadhaar cards and driving licences to register for passenger transport in Kolhapur. The company sets a fixed commission for every km driven, prompting several individuals to join the service using their personal motorcycles. The passenger services currently operating through this app are unauthorised. If anyone is found illegally ferrying passengers via the Rapido app, both their driving licence and vehicle registration will be suspended. We strictly advise passengers against using these services. ”
Advocate Baba Indulkar, chief of Common Man Rickshaw Sanghatana, said, “There are nearly 15,000 EV rickshaws in Kolhapur district. The central govt, via a notification dated Aug 30, 2016, had exempted electronic three-wheeled passenger rickshaws from the permit requirement under Section 66(1) of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, under certain conditions. However, on March 13, 2026, the Union ministry announced that permits have become mandatory for all electric three-wheelers.
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Rajendra Jadhav, district chief of Rickshaw Sena, said, “Kolhapur is not a metro city. The RTO’s strict action follows protests by local rickshaw unions against the entry of bike taxis. Most transit happens within a narrow radius of seven to eight km. If corporate entities start passenger transport via apps, what will auto drivers earn? We will fiercely oppose this move. Accordingly, this permit mandate must be enforced on all categories of autorickshaws immediately. Download the TOI App.
Meanwhile, members of the rickshaw union met with Kolhapur regional transport officer on Friday afternoon to seek clarification on why electric rickshaws are currently exempt from permit rules, while permits remain mandatory for petrol, CNG, and LPG-powered rickshaws.