Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik caught an unauthorised Rapido bike taxi red-handed in Mumbai on Wednesday, July 2. While the minister’s move garnered attention, it also sparked a larger conversation among netizens — what about the rampant violations by autorickshaw drivers in Bandra, Kurla and beyond?
Social media users were quick to shift the spotlight from illegal bike taxis to issues faced by commuters in other parts of Mumbai.
“Hi @PratapSarnaik ji. Waiting for you to do this act of courage at Bandra East or Kurla with rickshaw walahs. Because that’s where the real problem is, just in case you don’t know,” commented one user on X (formerly Twitter).
Hi @PratapSarnaik ji.
Waiting for you to do this act of courage at Bandra East or Kurla with rickshaw walahs.
Because, that’s where the real problem is, just in case you don’t know. https://t.co/M4b4vXZdSx
— Sandesh Samant – संदेश सामंत (@sandesh_samant) July 2, 2025
Another user urged the minister to take his surprise inspections further. “Can you @PratapSarnaik do a similar ACT at Dadar Terminus, Kurla LTT, Bandra Terminus, Mumbai T1 & T2 & see the commuters struggle to get a cab or auto?” wrote the user.
Can you @PratapSarnaik do a similar ACT at Dadar Terminus, Kurla LTT , Bandra Terminus, Mumbai T1 & T2 & see the commuters struggle to get a cab or auto? https://t.co/lOcOHuM61Y
— मुंबई Matters™ (@mumbaimatterz) July 2, 2025
Some expressed frustration over what they saw as selective action. “Sir kabhi toh suburbs mein toh aao. Wrong side driving, overfilled rickshaws, utter chaos traffic management and third-rate road infrastructure. When will you conduct those operations? When will you take action against those things? Why are there only reels for PR and no real action?”
Sir kabhi toh suburbs mein toh aao. Wrong side driving, overfilled rickshaws, utter chaos traffic management and third rate road infrastructure. When will you conduct those operations. When will you take against those things. Why are there only reels for PR and no real action
— Vishal Khandelwal (@v1shalK) July 2, 2025
One user also questioned the absence of the transport minister’s action against malpractices by auto rickshaws and taxis, such as overcharging, ride refusals and “rigged” meters.
Where is transport minister when Auto Rickshaw and Taxis loot passengers by charging unnecessary surge fare, when they put more passengers than allowed in their vehicles, when they refuse rides, when they don’t go by meter and often meters are rigged?
Why harass innocent Bike…
— Dakshant Sharma (@DakshantSharma) July 2, 2025
The incident with the Rapido bike unfolded after Sarnaik decided to test the information given to him by the transport department. According to NDTV Marathi, officials had claimed that no unauthorised bike taxi apps were operational in Mumbai or other cities. The minister used the Rapido app under a false name and booked a ride. Within minutes, the bike arrived.
After a short exchange with the rider, the minister handed over Rs 500 to compensate the driver and avoid causing him financial harm. “We won’t gain anything by filing a case against poor people like you. But those big people behind this should be punished. That’s our intention,” Sarnaik reportedly told him.
The Maharashtra government has recently introduced a new e-bike policy under which only electric two-wheelers will be eligible for taxi permits, that too, after meeting a strict set of conditions. Until then, no company has been officially permitted to run app-based bike taxi services in Maharashtra.
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