Will Uber, Ola and Rapido Stop Operating in Maharashtra? Here’s What Government Said
Maharashtra government calls viral claims of complete Ola, Uber and Rapido ban misleading. Only bike taxi services face action. Know what Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik actually ordered.
A viral claim suggesting that ride-hailing giants Ola, Uber, and Rapido have been completely shut down across Maharashtra sent panic among commuters on Saturday. However, the Maharashtra government has stepped in to set the record straight, calling the circulating posts misleading and clarifying the actual scope of the action being taken.
What Is the Viral Claim?
Posts spreading rapidly across social media platforms alleged that the Maharashtra government was moving towards a complete ban on all Ola, Uber, and Rapido services across the state, leaving thousands of daily commuters concerned about their transportation options. Why Did Maharashtra Cancel Bike Taxi Licences of Ola, Uber and Rapido?
What Did the Maharashtra Government Actually Say?
The Maharashtra Directorate General of Information and Public Relations (DGIPR) officially addressed the misinformation in a post on X, stating clearly that the claims were misleading. The government confirmed that only bike taxi services are facing a ban, and that broader cab and ride-hailing services are not being shut down statewide. Sahkar Taxi Initiative To Offer Bike, Cab, Auto Services in India To Compete With Ola and Uber; Drivers Can Earn Directly Without Sharing Profits With Big Companies.
Ola, Uber, Rapido Not Completely Banned in Maharashtra, Says Government
महाराष्ट्रात ओला, उबर आणि रॅपिडोच्या सर्व सेवा पूर्णपणे बंद करण्यात आल्याचा सोशल मीडियावरील दावा दिशाभूल करणारा आहे. #FactCheck #DGIPRFactCheck
राज्यात बेकायदेशीरपणे सुरू असलेल्या अनधिकृत बाईक टॅक्सी सेवांविरोधात परिवहन विभागाने कठोर भूमिका घेतली आहे. #ओला, #उबर आणि #रॅपिडो… pic.twitter.com/69jjCPbNbc
— MAHARASHTRA DGIPR (@MahaDGIPR) May 15, 2026
What Action Is Actually Being Taken?
Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik directed the Cyber Crime department to file FIRs against Ola, Uber, and Rapido specifically over alleged illegal bike taxi operations in the state. In his letter to the department, Sarnaik flagged that app-based bike taxis do not adhere to safety regulations and pose serious risks to public safety, particularly for women commuters.
The minister cited multiple complaints from women passengers, registered FIRs in cases of alleged harassment and fraud, and raised concerns over inadequate passenger verification, insurance cover, and emergency response systems on these platforms.
Verdict: Claim is Misleading
The claim of a complete ban on Ola, Uber, and Rapido in Maharashtra is false. The government's action is specifically targeted at unauthorised bike taxi operations, not the broader cab and ride-hailing services offered by these platforms. Ola, Uber, and Rapido are yet to issue an official response to the development.
Fact check
Viral social media posts claimed that Ola, Uber and Rapido have been completely banned across Maharashtra, leaving commuters without cab services.
The claim is misleading. The Maharashtra government has clarified that there is no complete ban on Ola, Uber or Rapido cab services in the state. The action is specifically related to alleged illegal bike taxi operations being run through these platforms.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 16, 2026 06:17 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
