Nagpur, 02 Apr (HS):- The Maharashtra Cabinet sanctioned a policy for electric bike taxis in city regions, intending to offer a convenient and cost-effective transport choice for individual riders traveling distances of up to 15 km.

Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced that e-bike taxis will be allowed with certain safety measures, such as a divider between the rider and passenger and a roof for protection during the monsoon.

Sarnaik

clarified that while the policy has been approved, the revenue model is still

being finalized and will be announced soon. Ensuring security and affordable

fares will be the priorities.

As part of the initiative, wards of

autorickshaw and taxi drivers affiliated with government-certified corporations

and boards will be eligible to apply for e-bike taxis. They will receive

financial assistance of ₹10,000, with the remaining amount to be raised through

loans.

The minister said the initiative is

expected to generate over 10,000 jobs in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and

another 10,000 across the rest of the state.

“This is the first step toward a

pollution-free Maharashtra,” Sarnaik stated. “We will regulate the fares,

ensuring that a journey costing ₹100 can be made more affordable, ideally

around ₹30-40.”

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Hindusthan Samachar / Ajay Vasant Mardikar