After Mumbai, Bharat Taxi to Soon Launch in Pune and Nagpur; CM Fadnavis Orders Fast-Track Regulations

Mumbai, 3rd June 2026: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday directed the state transport department to frame regulations for app-based cooperative taxi services and facilitate the launch of the proposed Bharat Taxi service in Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur.

Fadnavis said the cooperative taxi model has the potential to bring economic stability and social security to lakhs of drivers across the state while offering quality transport services to commuters.

The directions were issued during a meeting held to review the launch of Sahakar Bharat Taxi Cooperative Limited (Bharat Taxi). The meeting was attended by Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, Minister of State Madhuri Misal, senior legislators, transport officials and representatives of the proposed taxi cooperative.

According to the chief minister, the cooperative aggregator model can transform the lives of drivers by enabling them to become stakeholders in the business rather than remaining dependent on private operators. He added that the service would eventually be expanded to smaller cities across Maharashtra.

Currently, app-based taxi services in the state are largely operated by private companies. Officials noted that drivers often face issues related to earnings and social security, while passengers also encounter service-related concerns. The proposed cooperative model aims to address these challenges by giving drivers ownership and strengthening their financial position through the cooperative framework.

During the meeting, Sarnaik said the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation is also developing a mobility application named “Chhava”.

Presenting details of the project, Colonel Himanshu of Bharat Taxi said the service would be launched first in Mumbai, followed by Pune and Nagpur. The initiative is aimed at the economic, social and professional empowerment of nearly 20 million commercial drivers across the country.

The Bharat Taxi concept has been developed under the cooperative model following the vision of Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, with the objective of creating a driver-owned alternative in the app-based taxi sector.