Mumbai: The Maharashtra government is preparing to launch its own ride-hailing app aimed at offering an alternative to private aggregators like Ola, Uber, and Rapido. The app will facilitate bookings for taxis, auto-rickshaws, and e-bikes, with a focus on improving regulatory oversight and creating employment for local youth.
Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, who also chairs the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), said the app is in its final development stage. The project has received in-principle approval from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and deputy chief ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar. Cabinet-level clearance is expected soon.
Proposed names for the app include Jai Maharashtra, Maha-Ride, Maha-Yatri, and Maha-Go. Sarnaik stated that the initiative is being developed in line with the Centre’s aggregator policy and will be operated under the state transport department.
The app is being built in collaboration with the Maharashtra Institute for Transport Technology and the Maharashtra Institution for Transformation (MITRA), along with input from private sector partners.
The government intends the platform to enhance commuter convenience while also addressing long-standing concerns related to driver welfare, platform transparency, and accountability areas where private aggregators have faced criticism.
If implemented effectively, Maharashtra’s model could serve as a framework for other states seeking to establish public alternatives in the app-based transport space. The focus on employment generation, compliance, and service quality marks a significant shift in the state’s approach to digital urban mobility.
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