“Those Companies Are Looting Drivers and Passengers”: Minister Sarnaik on Maharashtra’s New State-Run Ride-Hailing App to Rival Ola & Uber

The Maharashtra government has announced plans to launch its own mobile app that will allow passengers to book auto-rickshaws, taxis and electric bike taxis directly. 

The app’s name has not yet been finalised, but options under consideration include “Jai Maharashtra,” “Maha-Ride,” “Maha-Yatri” and “Maha-Go.”

Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said the platform will offer commuters a fairer and more transparent alternative to private aggregators like Ola, Uber and Rapido, while also creating opportunities for local youth.

A Government-Led Push to Challenge Private Aggregators

Sarnaik explained that the app is aimed at addressing the unfair practices of private ride-hailing companies. 

“Currently, private organisations are making huge profits through unauthorised apps. For this, those companies are looting drivers and passengers,” he said.

The project is being developed with inputs from the Maharashtra Institute for Transport Technology (MITRA) along with private tech partners. 

A review meeting with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar will be held on August 5th to finalise the app’s design, features and operational guidelines.

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Financial Support for Local Youth

To encourage more Marathi youth to join the platform, the state will also provide financial support. 

Loans for purchasing vehicles will be available at 10 per cent interest through Mumbai Bank. The government will further subsidise the interest, effectively making the loans interest-free for eligible applicants.

Officials believe this will enable thousands of young individuals to become self-employed and enter the transport sector on equal footing.

Maharashtra’s decision to launch its own ride-hailing service could transform the state’s urban mobility landscape. 

By focusing on affordability, transparency and youth employment, the government hopes to create a credible alternative to private aggregators and bring more fairness to the transport ecosystem.

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