# Chandigarh launches Bharat Taxi app after suspending Uber, Ola

2026-09-18T20:31:37+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 1 independent outlet

The Chandigarh administration formally launched the Bharat Taxi ride-hailing platform on Friday, 10 days after suspending licences of private aggregators Uber, Rapido, Ola and InDrive for non-compliance with local rules. The cooperative-based app offers cabs, autos and bikes with no surge pricing and a base fare of Rs 25 per km. Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria flagged off vehicles at the new UT secretariat, with Union ministers Murlidhar Mohol and Krishan Pal Gurjar present. The suspension followed violations of the Chandigarh Motor Vehicles Aggregators Rules, 2025, which cap surge pricing at 1.5x the base fare and mandate drivers receive at least 80% of the fare. Since the ban, authorities have issued 390 challans, impounded 25 vehicles and collected Rs 39 lakh in fines. Bharat Taxi is operated by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Ltd under a zero-commission, subscription model, making driver-members stakeholders. The app aims to expand to Ludhiana, Amritsar and Jalandhar in coming months.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

Source 2 frames Bharat Taxi as a cooperative empowerment story, leading with the no-surge-pricing promise and ministerial praise, while Source 1 reports the launch alongside enforcement figures and notes limited commuter uptake. The neutral version omits the cooperative governance details and driver-ownership pitch that the pro-government account highlights. Both agree on the regulatory trigger: the new aggregator rules. The question of viability hinges on whether commuters switch from familiar apps to a subscription-based cooperative at Rs 25 per km, especially as airport services are not yet live.

## Coverage

- hindustantimes.com <https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/ut-to-formally-launch-bharat-taxi-app-today-in-chandigarh-101789672414101.html>
- hindustantimes.com <https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/no-surge-pricing-no-driver-exploitation-chandigarh-admn-unveils-bharat-taxi-ride-hailing-platform-with-big-promises-101789761473873.html>

Tags: Bharat Taxi, Chandigarh, InDrive, Ola, Rapido, Uber
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