Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Crime Branch has put a ban on bike taxi services operated by Uber and Rapido in the state for allegedly violating the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
The Crime Branch also cited violation of the Odisha On-demand Transportation Technology Aggregators Guidelines, 2023, while by the companies operating bike taxi services using privately registered non-transport two-wheelers.
In a letter addressed to the Transport Commissioner-cum-Chairman of the State Transport Authority (STA), the Crime Branch stated that the matter had been examined based on special enforcement reports submitted by the Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) of Kataka, Bhubaneswar-I and Bhubaneswar-II.
The reports pointed out the alleged unauthorised use of private, non-transport two-wheelers for passenger transportation through aggregator-based platforms, in violation of the existing transport regulations.
Following the findings, the Crime Branch has issued letters to the nodal officers of Uber and Rapido, directing them to disable the unauthorised two-wheeler passenger transport facility on their mobile applications within Odisha.
The companies have been given 15 days from receipt of the notice to discontinue such services and submit compliance reports to both the Crime Branch and the State Transport Authority.
The letter further warns that failure to comply with the directions within the stipulated period may invite legal action.
However, the proposed action is limited to bike taxi services operating through private, non-transport two-wheelers. Uber and Rapido’s car and auto services will continue to operate as usual in the state.
Reaction from Uber and Rapido on the Crime Branch’s direction was not immediately available.
