Srinagar, Feb 05 (KINS): Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Thursday formally launched India’s first cooperative-based taxi service, ‘Bharat Taxi’, in New Delhi, marking a major step towards empowering drivers through an ownership-based model.
The launch event was attended by Union Minister of State for Cooperation Krishan Pal Gurjar, Murlidhar Mohol, Cooperation Secretary Dr Ashish Kumar Bhutani, and several other dignitaries. More than 1,200 driver partners, known as “Sarathis”, from different states participated in the programme.
Addressing the gathering, Shah said Bharat Taxi is designed to ensure dignity, security, and financial stability for drivers.
He announced that the platform will not charge any commission, booking fee, or platform fee, allowing drivers to retain their full earnings. Passenger payments will be transferred directly and instantly to drivers’ bank accounts.
He said the objective of Bharat Taxi is not to increase corporate profits, but to enhance the income of its real owners — the Sarathi brothers and Sarathi Didis.
Highlighting women’s safety, Shah said the ‘Sarathi Didi’ initiative will provide affordable and secure two-wheeler transport for women. Trained women riders will help ensure safe, dignified, and low-cost travel, strengthening self-reliance among women.
The Union Minister informed that Bharat Taxi has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with nine major institutions, including Delhi Traffic Police, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, Airports Authority of India, IFFCO Tokio Insurance, Paytm, GMR, and State Bank of India. These partnerships will improve digital integration, safety standards, financing facilities, and service quality.
Shah said the four guiding principles of Bharat Taxi are Ownership, Security Cover, Dignity, and “Everyone’s Wheel, Everyone’s Progress”, ensuring fair distribution of benefits among drivers.
He added that a transparent grievance redressal mechanism has been established through the app, website, and toll-free helpline. No driver’s account will be closed without proper hearing, and strict systems are in place to address complaints fairly.
Emphasising welfare measures, Shah said Sarathis can register on the e-Shram portal and avail benefits under various government schemes. After registration, drivers and their families will receive free medical treatment up to ₹5 lakh under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, along with insurance, loans, subsidies, and social security benefits.
The Minister also announced that SOS alerts, real-time ride monitoring, and 24×7 assistance centres have been introduced to enhance safety. Eight such centres are currently operational in Delhi-NCR, with plans for nationwide expansion.
Shah said Bharat Taxi, established in June 2025, has witnessed rapid growth within eight months, surpassing many private platforms in driver and customer registrations in Delhi and Gujarat. At present, over 2.5 lakh drivers and 8.5 lakh passengers are associated with the service in Delhi-NCR.
The service has started operations in parts of Delhi, NCR, and Gujarat and will be expanded to all states in the next three years.
Earlier, a rally of 100 cars from Indira Gandhi International Airport to Vigyan Bhawan marked the symbolic launch. Top-performing Sarathis were also honoured and provided personal accident and family health insurance coverage of ₹5 lakh.
Nine MoUs were exchanged during the programme to strengthen operational integration, digital enablement, and service quality. These include agreements for operating prepaid taxi booths, providing last-mile connectivity at metro stations, regulating airport services, enabling digital payments, and facilitating priority financing for drivers.
Expressing confidence in the project’s future, Shah said Bharat Taxi would become a strong platform for enhancing the prosperity, self-respect, and economic strength of drivers across the country.
He added that the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening the cooperative sector and extending ownership rights to workers in the unorganised and gig economy.(KINS)
