• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik booked a ride with Rapido from Mantralaya to Dadar on Wednesday to check if illegal bike taxis were functional in Mumbai. Despite a ban in the absence of proper regulations, the ride was promptly accepted. The minister had booked the ride using a different name which tricked the rider, who arrived within 10 minutes and drove straight into a trap laid by transport officials. Earlier, Sarnaik had questioned his department about the presence of bike taxis and he was assured they didn’t exist in the city. However, the surprise inspection told a very different story.

ALSO READ: Pune Woman Raped By Man Posing As Delivery Boy; Leaves Behind Chilling Message, Selfie On Her Phone

The biker was caught by the officials but no action was taken against the rider. The Maharashtra Transport Minister also offered Rs 500 as fare to the rider while telling him that bike taxis were illegal in Mumbai.

"I am the Transport Minister. These rules are for your benefit," the Maharashtra Transport Minister told the rider. He further said that action will be against the app operators and not against the bike owners.

"You came here, for that I am giving you Rs 500," the minister added. However, the rider refused to accept the money.

ALSO READ: Bengal Weather Forecast: Thunderstorms And Rain In 9 Districts Today, Kolkata To See Scattered Showers

In April, the Maharashtra cabinet had issued a draft electric-bike taxi policy stating that only e-bikes which fulfilled the government’s criteria could be used as bike taxis. At present all bike taxis are illegal in the state.