Maharashtra to regulate bike taxis from August 1 with Marathi mandate for permits

The Maharashtra state government will officially launch a new policy on August 1, 2026, to regulate the bike taxi sector across the state, including Mumbai. State Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced that under this upcoming regulatory framework, only state domicile holders who can understand the Marathi language will be eligible to receive permits to operate.

The policy is designed to address a major issue in the state's transport network, where an estimated 4 lakh to 4.5 lakh illegal bike taxis are currently operating. By regulating these services, the state government aims to bring order to the sector, recover lost government revenue, and create new employment opportunities for local residents.

According to the details shared by State Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, the new policy will also introduce specific financial obligations for bike taxi operators. Under the guidelines, operators will be required to pay the government Rs 5 per day. In addition to this daily fee, operators will also have to contribute 2 per cent of the fare from every ride to a dedicated welfare fund.

The decision to mandate state domicile status and an understanding of the Marathi language is intended to prioritize local employment within the newly regulated industry. The policy marks the first major state-wide effort to formalize the massive number of unauthorized bike taxis running on the roads of Mumbai and other cities across Maharashtra.

With the official implementation date set for August 1, 2026, the state government is moving forward with the transition, which will impact hundreds of thousands of operators who must now comply with the permit requirements, daily government payments, and welfare fund contributions.