The Ahmedabad RTO has detained 31 vehicles and recovered around Rs 5 lakh in penalties during a special drive targeting alleged violations by vehicles operating through Ola, Uber and Rapido, according to a report by Sandesh. The action involved non-transport vehicles being used for commercial passenger services and vehicles registered in other states operating in Ahmedabad.
The RTO’s inspection found that 10 motorcycles connected with the aggregator platforms were being used commercially despite being registered as non-transport vehicles, the report said. Under the applicable transport requirements cited in the report, cars and motorcycles operating through an aggregator must be registered as transport vehicles and hold the required permissions and registrations in the relevant state.
The enforcement drive also identified 21 cars registered in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and other states that were allegedly being used for commercial activity in Ahmedabad without complying with the relevant requirements. The 31 vehicles were detained and legal action was initiated, with penalties amounting to approximately Rs 5 lakh, according to Sandesh.
The Ahmedabad RTO has also issued notices to Ola, Uber and Rapido, bringing the aggregator companies directly into the regulatory action. The notices reportedly raise questions about the use of licences issued for specific categories of operations in Gujarat.
According to the report, Rapido holds a licence in the state for operating rickshaws, but was found to be operating cars and motorcycles through its platform. Uber has permission for car and rickshaw operations, while the RTO has alleged that motorcycles were also being used commercially through the platform. The report did not provide the companies’ responses to the notices.
The action places attention on how app-based mobility services are regulated at the vehicle, driver and platform levels. For passengers, the distinction between a transport vehicle and a private or non-transport vehicle affects the regulatory framework under which the service is provided. It also raises questions about the responsibility of aggregators to ensure that vehicles listed on their platforms hold the required registrations and permissions.
The enforcement drive comes as app-based taxi, auto-rickshaw and motorcycle services remain an important part of daily urban travel in Ahmedabad. These platforms offer doorstep bookings and, in some cases, lower-cost trips, but their operations depend on compliance with state transport rules and the conditions attached to their licences.
The companies are expected to respond to the notices issued by the Ahmedabad RTO. The authority’s further action against vehicles found operating without the required commercial registrations or permissions will determine the next stage of the case.
