Ola, Uber, Rapido get nod for Mumbai bike taxi services

17 Sep 2025 CW Team

The Maharashtra State Transport Authority (STA) has granted provisional licences to Ola, Uber, and Rapido to operate bike taxi services in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The move follows the implementation of the Maharashtra Bike Taxi Rules 2025.

As per STA’s approval, the minimum fare has been fixed at Rs 15 for the first 1.5 km, with an additional Rs 10.27 per km thereafter. The licences are valid for one month, during which operators must apply for permanent permits by fulfilling all regulatory conditions.

Smart-Ride’s application was rejected for failing to meet the prescribed norms. Officials confirmed that the fare structure has been set using the Khatua panel formula, which also governs autorickshaw and taxi fares.

The development marks a significant step forward for app-based two-wheeler services in Mumbai, where demand for affordable and quick transport options is rising. Bike taxis are expected to cost significantly less than traditional taxis and autorickshaws, offering commuters greater choice and flexibility.

Real Estate

30 Oct 2025

Premium Housing Demand Rises Despite 12% Dip in Overall Residential Sales in 2025: JLL

India’s residential property market witnessed a shift toward premium housing in the first nine months of 2025, even as total sales volumes moderated, according to JLL India’s latest residential market update.While overall home sales fell 12 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) to 202,756 units during January–September 2025, the premium housing segment (priced at Rs 10 million and above) registered a 4 per cent growth, led by strong demand in the Rs 10.5–30 million price band — which grew nearly 10 per cent over the same period last year.The slowdown in total volumes was attributed to sustai..

Queensland, Australia Backs METS Delegation for India’s Flagship Mining Expo – IME 2025

Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ) — the Queensland Government’s global business agency — is leading a high-level delegation of mining equipment, technology and services (METS) companies to the International Mining, Equipment & Minerals Exhibition (IME) 2025, being held in Kolkata from October 30 to November 2.The delegation highlights Queensland, Australia’s world-class mining expertise across digital innovation, mine safety, critical-minerals technology, and sustainable mining solutions — aligning with India’s rapid transformation of its mining and resources sector to supp..

ABB India Expands Local Production with New Line for Energy-Efficient Drives

ABB India has announced the expansion of its local manufacturing footprint with the launch of a new production line for variable speed drive (VSD) modules at its Peenya facility in Bengaluru. The new line enhances ABB’s local production capacity for drives by around 25 per cent, supporting the Government of India’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives.Equipped with state-of-the-art automation and digital monitoring technologies, the new line is designed to meet the rising demand for energy-efficient and high-performance drives across industries such as buildings, da..