New Delhi,Feb 4: Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah will launch India’s first cooperative-based ride-hailing platform, Bharat Taxi, at Vigyan Bhavan on February 5, 2026, marking a major milestone in the government’s push to strengthen the cooperative sector under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Sahkar se Samriddhi’.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Cooperation, aims to promote inclusive, citizen-centric mobility by placing drivers—referred to as Sarathis—at the centre of ownership and operations. Bharat Taxi has been designed as a driver-owned, cooperative alternative to aggregator-based ride-hailing models, ensuring zero commission, surge-free pricing, and direct profit sharing with drivers.
During the launch event, the Union Minister will honour the top six performing Sarathis and distribute share certificates, reinforcing the principle of “Sarathi Hi Malik.” Each honoured driver will also receive a personal accident insurance cover of ₹5 lakh and a family health insurance cover of ₹5 lakh, underscoring the platform’s focus on social security and welfare.
On the occasion, nine Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) will be exchanged with key public and private stakeholders to strengthen digital integration, operational efficiency, safety mechanisms, and service delivery.
Registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002, Bharat Taxi was established on June 6, 2025. The platform allows drivers the flexibility to operate on multiple platforms without exclusivity clauses and provides emergency assistance, verified ride data, and dedicated driver support centres at seven locations in Delhi.
Bharat Taxi has also introduced women-centric initiatives such as “Bike Didi,” under which more than 150 women drivers have joined so far. Currently operating in Delhi-NCR and Gujarat, the platform has onboarded over three lakh drivers, registered more than one lakh users, and is completing over 10,000 rides daily. Around ₹10 crore has already been distributed directly to drivers.
The platform plans to expand to all States and cities within the next two years, establish support centres nationwide, and deepen integration with digital public infrastructure to build a sustainable, cooperative-based mobility ecosystem. Over 1,200 Sarathis from across the country are expected to participate in the launch event. (PIB)
