SHILLONG: A day after a stern warning from the state government, local two-wheeler riders associated with the ride-hailing app Rapido met with the Motor Vehicle Inspector (MVI) on Tuesday morning to seek clarity regarding the government’s crackdown and to understand how the company was allowed to operate in the state in the first place.
The meeting follows an official announcement by Sanjay Goyal, the Commissioner and Secretary of the Transport Department, who declared that the state government would strictly impound two-wheelers operating illegally as commercial taxis.
Speaking to media persons after the meeting, the local youths shared that the MVI explicitly clarified that Rapido’s operations in the state are completely illegal. The inspector warned that the state government is moving forward with intensive checking drives, and anyone caught operating illegally will face hefty fines.
To ensure they can continue earning a livelihood legally, the MVI advised the riders to affiliate themselves with local aggregators registered within the state. Furthermore, the youths revealed that the state government does not receive a single rupee in taxes from Rapido’s current operations.
Following these discussions, the riders stated they would hold an internal meeting to deliberate on the matter and will soon meet with local aggregators to discuss terms for a smooth transition.
The development comes as the state government issues a strict mandate requiring all two-wheeler taxis to register and obtain a valid license from the office of the District Transport Officer (DTO) before carrying passengers.
On Monday, Transport Commissioner & Secretary Sanjay Goyal confirmed that the department has already initiated a massive crackdown on unauthorized two-wheeler commercial operations. He stated that enforcement drives have commenced and authorities have been shutting down illegal operation hubs for some time.
Despite these efforts, he appealed to the public to come forward and report any ongoing illegal commercial two-wheeler activities directly to the transport department. Goyal emphasized that transport companies must fully comply with all legal requirements before operating and noted that clear instructions have been issued to DTOs to take stringent legal action against violators.
Elaborating on the regulatory framework, Goyal informed that the State Cabinet has already approved the Bike Aggregator Rules, alongside regulations governing motorcycle and taxi rentals for tourists who prefer self-driving. He noted that the government has already laid down the necessary rules, and rental operators have already received cabinet approval.
Pointing to a general lack of awareness regarding these rules, the Commissioner and Secretary urged two-wheeler riders to choose the legal route and strictly adhere to the guidelines prescribed by the state government.
