In a dramatic and unexpected move, Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik personally exposed an illegally operating Rapido bike taxi in South Mumbai, calling attention to the gaps between official claims and ground reality.

In an effort to verify his own department’s assertion that no unauthorised bike taxi services were functioning in Mumbai, Sarnaik used the Rapido app to book a ride under a false name. Within minutes, a bike taxi arrived at Shaheed Babu Genu Chowk near Mantralaya, clearly violating the state’s transport rules.

The minister’s surprise operation revealed that despite the state’s recent e-bike policy—allowing only registered electric bikes to function as taxis under regulated guidelines—petrol-powered and unlicensed vehicles are still being used by aggregators.

The incident directly contradicts previous claims made by officials within the Transport Department, who had insisted there were no illegal two-wheeler taxi services in operation.

“We cannot turn a blind eye when people are being misled and the law is being flouted,” said Sarnaik. While interacting with the rider, he offered him ₹500 and assured him that enforcement should focus on those running the illegal platforms—not the riders trying to earn a living.

“There’s no point in punishing poor delivery boys or drivers. The ones who are enabling this system from behind the scenes, those sitting in offices and profiting from this illegality—they are the real culprits. They will face strict action,” Sarnaik declared.