App taxi firms must submit driver details in 3 months, says Maharashtra transport minister

Maharashtra's transport department has asked app-based taxi companies to submit complete details of their drivers to properly implement the Aggregator Policy 2026. Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said driver identity, place of residence and required documents will be verified, and drivers found eligible will be given membership of the Dharmaveer Anand Dighe Saheb Maharashtra Auto Rickshaw and Taxi Driver-Owner Welfare Board. Drivers must submit a domicile certificate and all other required information within three months.

The directive was issued at a review meeting chaired by Minister Sarnaik at the ministry to discuss progress on implementing the Aggregator Policy 2026. Transport Commissioner Rajesh Narvekar and officials of the concerned department attended, with Regional Transport Officers joining via video conference. Representatives of app-based taxi companies including Bharat Taxi, Rapido, Uber, Ola, Shalini Cab and CityFlo were also present.

The meeting also discussed how various facilities could be extended to app taxi drivers through the welfare board. Minister Sarnaik directed officials to take the necessary steps so that drivers and their families receive all benefits available to them under labour law.

For passenger safety, it is necessary that a driver's identity and place of residence be fully verified. For this reason, drivers will have to submit a domicile certificate, and working knowledge of Marathi will also be made mandatory for them. Minister Sarnaik said drivers found eligible will be issued a badge by the transport department, and will also be made members of the welfare board, extending various board schemes to their families as well.

Minister Sarnaik also said that passenger safety must be given the highest priority while extending necessary facilities to drivers under the aggregator policy. He said driver applications and required documents must be scrutinised very carefully to prevent accidents and crime.

The concerned app-based taxi companies have been given three months to collect drivers' required information and submit it to the transport department. Minister Pratap Sarnaik has directed that complete driver details, domicile certificates and required documents be submitted within this period.