Nagpur: Illegal app-based bike-taxi services continue to operate across Nagpur, raising serious concerns over commuter safety and regulatory gaps, even after a fatal accident earlier this month and multiple enforcement drives by authorities.A TOI reality check found that the bike-taxi application remains active and continues to offer rides in various parts of the city, despite action initiated by the Regional Transport Office (RTO).The issue came into sharp focus after a tragic accident on February 7 night that claimed the life of Vivek Borkar (38), a bike-taxi rider. Borkar was ferrying a passenger from Chhatrapati Square to Hingna when his two-wheeler collided with a moped near Radhe Mangalam Chowk in Pratap Nagar. Both the moped rider and the passenger sustained serious injuries. Following the collision, all three fell onto the road, and a speeding SUV ran over Borkar, killing him on the spot. A video of the incident later went viral on social media, shocking residents.Following the accident, the RTO launched a crackdown against bike-taxi riders. However, the services continue to function, highlighting the limitations of enforcement at the local level.Speaking to TOI, RTO (city) official Kiran Bidkar said that since the accident, action has been taken against 35 bike-taxi riders and their vehicles seized. “Even before this, we conducted multiple drives and filed written complaints at three police stations to register a case against the owner of the application. However, taking action against bike-taxi drivers is not enough; the application itself should be banned. This app is operating illegally in many cities, including Maharashtra. The issue was discussed with the transport commissioner and we have written to the commissioner,” said Bidkar.He added that the company operating the service had applied for an aggregator licence in Nagpur but failed to meet necessary requirements, including procuring vehicles, registering drivers with the RTO, and submitting mandatory documents.Sources said the matter requires intervention at the highest level, as ground-level action against individual riders is insufficient to halt the service. Officials believe that unless strict regulatory steps are taken against the application itself, illegal bike-taxi operations are likely to continue in the city.
