Swiggy and Zomato Seek Clarification on Delhi Government’s Bike Taxi Ban Order

Food delivery apps Swiggy and Zomato have complained to the Delhi government against issuing challans to their two-wheeler drivers in the name of banning cycle taxi services in the nation’s capital.

Food delivery platforms have also sought clarification from the government on the directive while claiming there has been a misinterpretation of the advice as the ban applies to cycle taxi service providers.

Swiggy, in a letter to the government, said food deliverers are being fined up to Rs. 15,000 under the guise of the ban on cycle taxi services.

“Recent changes in regulations on bike taxi services in Delhi have caused confusion and disruption for food delivery and fast trade aggregators. only applies to bicycle taxi service providers,” a Swiggy spokesperson said. PTI.

He said some of the challans issued to delivery officials exceeded Rs. 15,000.

“This has understandably created fear and apprehension among our delivery managers, who are key to ensuring our customers receive their orders on time.

“We continue to work closely with the authorities to clarify the government directive. Ensuring our delivery managers can operate smoothly and serve our customers without any disruption is our top priority,” the spokesperson said. .

While seeking clarification on the matter, Zomato, in a letter to the Delhi government’s transport department, said the notification had been misinterpreted by RTO officials.

Dinker Vashisht, Group Vice President – Public Policy, Regulation and Sustainability of the online food delivery platform, said: “The said instructions were misinterpreted by Regional Transportation Office (RTO) officials, who began issuing challans to delivery partners who operated for last mile delivery aggregators such as food delivery aggregators and e-commerce operators.” “This has led to disruption of services and confusion among delivery partners, who are now fearful of providing their service with fear of being penalized and harassed during their service,” he added, asking for urgent intervention in matter.

When contacted, a spokesperson for Zomato said: “Although the advisory only relates to passenger vehicles, there is misinterpretation on the ground.”

Last month, the Delhi Department of Transport warned against cycle taxis being used on Delhi’s roads, warning it was a violation of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988, which would make aggregators liable to a fine of Rs. 1,000,000.

The use of two-wheelers for commercial purposes is in breach of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988. The first offense could result in a fine of Rs 5,000 while a second offense could incur a fine of Rs. 10,000 and a jail term of up to one year, the department said in a public notice.

The driver will also lose his license for three months under the circumstances.

The notice states that some app-based companies pose as aggregators in violation of the 1988 Act. This will be subject to a fine of Rs. 1,000,000.