Amit Shah Launches Bharat Taxi; Targets Expansion To 500 Cities

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah formally launched Bharat Taxi across Gujarat, announcing that the cooperative mobility platform has commenced services in the state’s major cities.

The platform currently offers two-wheeler, auto-rickshaw, and four-wheeler services and has already completed trial operations at several locations.

Addressing the launch event, Shah said Bharat Taxi aims to expand to more than 500 cities and towns across India within the next one-and-a-half to two years. He added that the platform will soon begin operations in Nagpur, Pune, Mumbai, Lucknow, Chandigarh, Jaipur and Kolkata, with services expected to commence in all seven cities before 31 July.

Shah said nearly seven lakh driver-members, known as ‘Sarathis’, have already joined the platform as shareholders. He emphasised that Bharat Taxi follows a cooperative model, enabling drivers to become owners instead of remaining independent contractors.

The Minister added that the initiative reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of achieving ‘Prosperity through Cooperation’ by extending the cooperative movement into the transport sector.

Response to Competition

The Home Minister alleged that competing ride-hailing companies had reduced fares and increased driver commissions in response to Bharat Taxi’s launch. He urged Sarathis and customers to remain committed to the cooperative model, arguing that short-term pricing strategies based on losses would not remain sustainable.

Drawing comparisons with successful cooperative institutions such as Amul, IFFCO, KRIBHCO and the National Dairy Development Board, Shah said cooperative organisations have consistently succeeded despite private competition. He argued that companies operating at a loss would eventually face financial pressure reflected in their balance sheets and market valuations.

Shah said Bharat Taxi would gradually expand its support for members by facilitating access to loans, insurance, and business growth opportunities. He urged drivers to strengthen the cooperative through quality service and active participation, expressing confidence that Bharat Taxi would emerge as a leading cooperative organisation in India’s transport and mobility sector.

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