Citing non-compliance with established norms and regulations, the Chandigarh Transport Authority has suspended the operating licenses of major cab aggregators Uber and Rapido for a period of six months. Consequently, cabs operated by these platforms will remain off the roads across the city for the next half-year. While the administration views this as a necessary step for regulatory enforcement, the sudden cessation of services has created substantial commuting difficulties for ordinary residents who relied on these networks for daily travel.
Ashok Khemka Criticizes the Decision
The administrative action has drawn sharp criticism from prominent figures, including former Haryana civil servant Ashok Khemka. Taking to the platform X, Khemka termed the restriction on Uber, Rapido, and other aggregators as an ill-conceived decision. He pointed out that such abrupt bans cause direct inconvenience to the general public by removing affordable and convenient transit options from the urban landscape.
Impact on Drivers and Management Accountability
Khemka further emphasized that the restriction goes beyond commuter inconvenience, directly threatening the livelihoods of thousands of drivers associated with these platforms. Arguing for a more balanced approach, he stated that if aggregators have violated regulations, the authorities should penalize the corporate entities and hold their management accountable through financial penalties rather than penalizing innocent drivers and passengers. He urged the Chandigarh administrator to intervene in the matter, reiterating that punitive measures should target the actual wrongdoers rather than disrupting the broader ecosystem.
Cab Union Calls Off Longstanding Protest
Following the punitive action against Uber and Rapido, the Chandigarh Cab Union announced the withdrawal of its continuous strike and dharna on Wednesday, marking the conclusion of a prolonged agitation against aggregator practices.
Union President Amandeep Singh noted that Wednesday marked the 100th day of their demonstration. He highlighted that several key demands concerning driver welfare remain unaddressed, including a medical insurance cover of Rs 600,000, a term insurance of Rs 1 million, and the establishment of a 24-hour operational local office by aggregator companies in Chandigarh. The union has been pressing for medical insurance provisions for over a year and three months without compliance from the corporate management.
Prior Suspctions in the City
The recent action against Uber and Rapido follows a series of similar suspensions by the Chandigarh Transport Authority against other prominent transport networks. Ola's license was suspended earlier on June 17, followed by InDrive on August 10. With successive restrictions on major aggregators, Bharat Taxi operated by the cooperative taxi cooperative limited remains the sole functional cab service operating within the city at present.
