Vietnam-based electric taxi service, Green SM, is causing a stir in Bengaluru after driver associations accused the Karnataka Transport Department of bypassing mandatory rules while granting them an aggregator license. The company has already registered 100 electric taxis at the Indiranagar Regional Transport Office (RTO) in Bengaluru and is preparing for a wider rollout in the state, according to reports.
However, driver associations have alleged that the licence was issued in violation of a 2016 Karnataka High Court order and without fulfilling mandatory conditions such as installing digital meters, taxi roof signs, and ensuring drivers have valid driving licenses and police verification certificates. The associations have lodged a complaint with Transport Minister Bhairathi Suresh, demanding action against officials allegedly responsible for overlooking the rules.
During a meeting with the representatives, the minister said he was unaware of the licence being issued and immediately contacted Transport Department Commissioner Selvamani to seek details about Green SM and the conditions under which the licence was granted. He directed officials to produce the relevant files for scrutiny and warned that companies like Ola and Uber could be asked to leave Karnataka if they were found violating transport regulations.
The driver associations have claimed that Green SM has already brought more than 5,000 new cabs to warehouses in Bengaluru and is preparing to introduce another 10,000 vehicles. They fear that the entry of thousands of additional taxis could affect their livelihoods by reducing their business and making it difficult for them to repay vehicle EMIs. The associations have urged the state government to intervene and safeguard the interests of existing taxi operators, with the Transport Department's licence approval process now expected to come under scrutiny.