Uttarakhand Plans Crackdown on Rapido, Zomato, Swiggy Over Private Bike Use
The Uttarakhand Transport Department plans action against private motorcycles being used for commercial deliveries through apps such as Rapido, Zomato and Swiggy, saying such use violates motor vehicle rules.
The Uttarakhand Transport Department is preparing to take action against motorcycles with private registration numbers that are being used for commercial activities on app-based platforms such as Rapido, Zomato, Swiggy and other delivery services.
According to the department, using a privately registered vehicle for commercial purposes violates provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act. Officials are planning enforcement action against such vehicles and are also considering issuing notices to the platforms involved.
The proposed drive could have a significant impact on delivery workers in Dehradun, where thousands of people use their personal motorcycles to deliver food, parcels and household products.
The Transport Department maintains that vehicles used for commercial operations must meet prescribed requirements, including commercial registration, applicable taxes, permits and fitness norms.
Officials have argued that allowing privately registered vehicles to undertake commercial work creates an uneven playing field for operators who comply with the required regulations.
The department has already intensified action against privately registered vehicles being used to transport passengers commercially. More than 100 such two-wheelers have reportedly been seized in Dehradun.
Officials now plan to extend the enforcement drive to motorcycles being used for food, grocery, parcel and household-goods deliveries.
Deputy Transport Commissioner Shailesh Tiwari said commercial activities cannot legally be carried out using a private motorcycle or car. He clarified that the department has no objection to companies operating services through vehicles that meet commercial requirements, but private vehicles used commercially could face action under the Motor Vehicles Act.
The department has also adopted an enforcement strategy involving app-based bookings. Officials make bookings through online platforms to identify privately registered vehicles being used to provide commercial passenger services.
After a vehicle reaches the designated pickup location, officials check its documents and determine whether it is being used in accordance with applicable regulations.
The Transport Department views app-based companies primarily as intermediaries connecting customers with vehicle owners. However, when a privately registered vehicle is found operating commercially, authorities can take action against its registered owner under the applicable provisions.
Delivery platforms are now also under scrutiny. The department is preparing notices seeking information about the types of vehicles being used by delivery partners associated with online food, grocery and parcel services.
If violations are identified, action could potentially extend to vehicle owners as well as the companies concerned, according to the department.
The proposed expansion of the enforcement campaign could affect a large number of private-bike delivery workers in Dehradun, particularly as authorities move beyond passenger transport and begin examining motorcycles used for app-based deliveries.
