Bike Taxi Drivers Seek Delhi LG's Help to Protect Their Livelihood

A group of bike taxi drivers in Delhi has reached out to Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena, seeking his intervention to prevent the implementation of a ban imposed by the Delhi government.

The ban prohibits the operation of app-based taxi services like Rapido and Uber, as there is currently no policy in place for the operation of bike taxis on city roads.

In a memorandum submitted to the LG's office, the drivers expressed their concerns that the Delhi government is determined to ban their services. The drivers emphasized this ban's adverse impact on their lives.

"We will face difficulties in meeting household expenses, getting our children educated, and getting our parents treated."

The Supreme Court recently intervened by staying a Delhi High Court order that allowed Rapido and Uber to continue operating in the national capital. The apex court instructed the Delhi government not to take any coercive action against the ride-hailing platforms until a new policy is formulated.

During the hearing, the Supreme Court granted Rapido and Uber the freedom to request an urgent hearing of their pleas through the Delhi High Court. In response to the court's decision, Transport Commissioner Ashish Kundra announced that the government would communicate with the aggregators directly and also use the media to urge them to comply with the Supreme Court's order. Failure to do so may result in legal consequences.

The bench, which suspended the Delhi High Court's order issued on May 26, also noted that the Delhi government's counsel confirmed that the final policy would be officially announced before the end of July.

The fate of bike taxi services in Delhi hangs in the balance as drivers rally to protect their livelihoods, hoping for a favourable resolution that allows them to continue serving the public.

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