Karnataka High Court Reviews Bike Taxi Ban Amid Livelihood Crisis for 6 Lakh Families

The Karnataka High Court is considering a plea filed by the Bike Taxi Welfare Association and aggregators (Rapido, Ola, Uber), challenging the state government's ban on bike taxi services.

The petitioners argued that bike taxis are essential, not luxury, offering affordable transport and livelihoods to nearly 6 lakh gig workers in Bengaluru.

They claimed the sudden policy reversal violates Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution and urged the state to issue contract carriage permits under the Motor Vehicles Act. The Court has listed the matter for further hearing on August 5.

[Bike Taxi Welfare Association and Another v State of Karnataka and Others]