Uttarakhand plans crackdown on Rapido, Zomato, Swiggy, others over private bike use

The Uttarakhand Transport Department is preparing to crack down on riders using motorcycles with private registration numbers for commercial work on app-based delivery and service platforms such as Rapido, Zomato, Swiggy and others.The department maintains that using a privately registered vehicle for commercial activities is a violation of the Motor Vehicles Act. Along with action against such two-wheelers, officials are also preparing to issue notices to the online platforms.In Dehradun, the proposed action could affect thousands of delivery workers who use their personal motorcycles to deliver food, parcels and household goods. According to the Transport Department, vehicles being used for commercial activities must comply with mandatory requirements, including commercial registration, payment of applicable taxes, permits and fitness requirements.Officials argue that the use of private vehicles for commercial operations puts operators who follow the prescribed rules at a disadvantage. PRIVATE DELIVERY BIKES UNDER SCANNERThe Transport Department has so far stepped up action against privately registered vehicles being used to commercially transport passengers. Officials said more than 100 such two-wheelers have already been seized in Dehradun.Now, it plans to expand the enforcement drive to cover private motorcycles used for food, parcel and household-goods deliveries. Deputy Transport Commissioner Shailesh Tiwari said operating commercial activities through a private motorcycle or car is in violation of the rules.The department, he said, has no objection if companies operate their services through commercial vehicles. However, he warned that commercial use of privately registered vehicles would invite action under the Motor Vehicles Act.OFFICIALS MAKING DUMMY BOOKINGSThe Transport Department is also using some clever tricks to carry out its enforcement drive against privately registered passenger transport vehicles.As part of the strategy, officials themselves book four-wheeler rides through app-based platforms to identify private vehicles being used for commercial purposes.Once the car arrives at the pickup spot, its documents and operating status are checked before further action is taken.The department maintains that app-based companies primarily act as intermediaries between passengers and vehicle owners.However, where a private vehicle is found being used for commercial operations, provisions exist to take action against the registered owner.DELIVERY PLATFORMS ALSO UNDER RADAROfficials are preparing to issue notices to online food, grocery, and parcel delivery platforms in order to seek clarity on the categories of vehicles being used by delivery partners operating with them.If violations are found, action could be taken against vehicle owners as well as the concerned companies, according to the department.With more than 100 two-wheelers already having faced enforcement action in Dehradun, the proposed expansion of the drive to app-based delivery services could significantly affect private-bike delivery workers in the city.- Ends(Based on inputs from Ankit Sharma)Published On: Sep 11, 2026 15:05 IST