Commuting by CNG-run black and yellow cabs and auto-rickshaws in Mumbai will become more expensive from September 1, with the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Transport Authority (MMRTA) approving a fare hike of Rs 2 for taxis and Rs 1 for auto-rickshaws.
Tata Elxsi has partnered with Sarla Aviation to develop the Shunya air taxi platform. Tata Elxsi will provide engineering support for avionics, software integration, and certification, while Sarla Aviation will lead the design and type certification of the electric vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft.
The Maharashtra government has extended the deadline for autorickshaw and taxi drivers to acquire working knowledge of Marathi by one year, a decision welcomed by unions who say it removes the immediate threat to their livelihoods.
Mumbaikars are set to face a significant financial burden as the prices of milk, CNG, and taxi-rickshaw fares have all seen a substantial increase from September 1, 2026, impacting household budgets ahead of the crucial festive season.
A 60-year-old woman, Vanmala R Sabale, was tragically killed after being run over by a wet-leased BEST bus in Worli, Mumbai, while alighting from a taxi at a traffic signal.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a one-year grace period for auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers to learn functional Marathi. This decision comes after the Transport Department issued notices to drivers who failed a Marathi test, prompting driver organisations to request more time due to varying age groups and educational backgrounds. During this period, no action will be taken, and Marathi classes and study materials will be provided.
Widespread fear amongst autorickshaw and taxi drivers over rumoured steep fines linked to a state government Marathi proficiency drive erupted into street protests in parts of Mumbai on Monday, forcing Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to step in and address the panic. During protests, some drivers tried to prevent other members from transporting passengers, inconveniencing common people in the morning hours.
Maharashtra's transport department has initiated a statewide drive to assess taxi and autorickshaw drivers' working knowledge of Marathi, issuing notices to 1,268 drivers on the first day. Those who fail the initial 16-question test will receive a one-month notice to learn Marathi, with subsequent failure leading to a three-month badge suspension.
Bengaluru-based electric air taxi startup Sarla Aviation has received Design Organisation Approval (DOA) from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), a crucial step towards commercial production of its indigenous electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The company also inaugurated its new headquarters and announced partnerships, highlighting India's growing capabilities in advanced aerospace technology.
Police in Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, investigating social media videos of men brandishing pistols, unexpectedly discovered over Rs 3 crore in unaccounted cash hidden in a locked cupboard at a taxi driver's home. The money was found during a search for weapons, which were not recovered.
The founders of the Rapido app have been booked in Nagpur for allegedly operating petrol-powered bike taxi services in Maharashtra without the necessary government permissions. A case was registered following a complaint from the Nagpur RTO after a special drive revealed private vehicles were being used commercially without proper licenses, raising concerns about passenger safety and revenue loss for the government.
Chennai-based deep-tech startup The ePlane Company has successfully completed the assembly of its full-scale electric air taxi, the e200X. This prototype, designated PT-01, is now ready for ground testing, marking a significant step towards flight testing and eventual type certification. The versatile e200X is designed for passenger air taxi services, urban cargo transport, and air ambulance operations, aiming to leverage existing city infrastructure.
Maharashtra BJP MLC Pravin Darekar announced the launch of 'Devabhau' and 'Chhava' cooperative taxi services in Mumbai, aiming to counter private aggregators and benefit drivers directly, but the scheme has drawn sharp criticism from social activist Anjali Damania and the Opposition Congress over the proposed use of Mumbai Bank funds and its political branding.
Sanjay Dutt's confession about his inability to learn Marathi, even after six years in Yerwada jail, has inadvertently sparked controversy and put Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik in an awkward position, given Sarnaik's stringent policy on Marathi proficiency for auto and taxi drivers.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has criticised Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's decision to grant a one-year extension to autorickshaw and taxi drivers to learn Marathi, alleging it was due to 'pressure from Delhi' and a message to BJP's ally Shiv Sena.
A 37-year-old habitual offender, posing as a bike taxi rider, has been arrested in Delhi for allegedly snatching mobile phones from unsuspecting late-night passengers.
Maharashtra's Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced a drive against auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers lacking a 'working knowledge' of Marathi, with penalties ranging from licence suspension to cancellation, sparking fears among non-Marathi speaking drivers.
A man from Sikkim's Gyalshing district was allegedly drugged and robbed of Rs 7 lakh cash while travelling in a taxi for Tadaong.
A Mumbai court sentenced a taxi driver to two years in jail for outraging the modesty of a hotel professional by forcibly kissing her hand. The court rejected the defence's argument that it was a routine greeting, stating it occurred outside her official duties.
Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced that autorickshaw and taxi drivers will be given an opportunity to learn Marathi before any action is taken against them for non-compliance with the language requirement. This move softens the state's earlier stance, which had evoked mixed reactions and concerns about livelihoods.
The Delhi Traffic Police has issued a detailed advisory regarding traffic restrictions and diversions during the upcoming BRICS Summit from September 12-13. While Delhi will not be shut down, commuters should expect temporary stoppages and diversions, especially on routes used by VVIP convoys. The advisory covers movement for residents, essential services, public transport, and advice for exam candidates and hospital visitors, urging reliance on official updates.
A 33-year-old taxi driver in Gurugram allegedly strangled his wife to death before taking his own life at their residence. Police investigations suggest alcohol abuse and marital discord as potential factors.
Following a collision between a private car and a cab on Sohna Road in Gurugram, a group of taxi drivers allegedly harassed a girl travelling in the car and assaulted its driver. The girl's mother claimed that even after police arrived, they failed to take action, and the victim was forced to reach a compromise.
The Maharashtra government has proposed amendments to the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, making 'working knowledge of Marathi language' mandatory for cab drivers, with non-compliance potentially leading to suspension or revocation of driving licences.
Traffic between Assam and Meghalaya was disrupted after Guwahati-based cab operators blocked National Highway-27, protesting alleged attacks on people from Assam during a Khasi Students' Union (KSU) rally in Shillong, which saw 31 vehicles damaged and several pedestrians assaulted.
Meghalaya is experiencing escalating tensions marked by arson and petrol bomb attacks on government properties, following violence during a Khasi Students' Union rally. The incidents are linked to an inter-state taxi standoff with Assam, leading to deployment of central forces and calls for peace from chief ministers.
A taxi driver in Delhi is critically injured after a drunk driver in an SUV rammed into his stationary vehicle. The SUV driver has been arrested and is facing legal action.
New Delhi is under a thick blanket of security as it hosts top world leaders for the BRICS Summit. Extensive security measures, including thousands of personnel and CCTV cameras, are in place. Commuters can expect temporary traffic restrictions and diversions due to VVIP movements, though officials aim to minimise public inconvenience.
While intense protests were seen in Mandya and preventive detentions carried out at several places, life remained unaffected in major urban centres like Bengaluru and Mysuru.
Japanese 'flying car' manufacturer SkyDrive Inc plans to commercialise its eVTOL aircraft in India by 2028, initially focusing on medical logistics, particularly organ transportation. The company, backed by Suzuki, has signed an agreement with Air India and Suzuki for this purpose and is considering future manufacturing in India.
Families of students killed or injured in a paying guest accommodation collapse in Delhi's Satya Niketan are returning home shattered, questioning the city's safety and warning others against sending their children to the national capital for education.
Cooperation Minister Amit Shah addressed Parliament regarding the challenges faced by Bharat Taxi, a government-backed cooperative ride-hailing platform, including competition from established private aggregators and resistance to digital adoption among drivers.
A 25-year-old taxi driver in Indore died by suicide after posting a video alleging assault and corruption by the police. A sub-inspector has been suspended, and an investigation is underway.
Delhi Police have arrested a taxi driver for driving on the wrong side of the Dwarka Expressway and using a fake registration number plate. The arrest followed a complaint and a viral video showing the driver abusing another motorist.
A 24-year-old taxi driver in Gurugram died after allegedly setting himself on fire following a dispute with his live-in partner. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.
On January 28 this year, a private charter plane carrying then Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others crashed near the Baramati airstrip, killing all on board.
An Air India Airbus A320 experienced a near-simultaneous loss of all three hydraulic systems at 36,000 feet on a Phuket-Delhi flight, injuring 24 people. The pilot-in-command was subsequently terminated after testing positive for banned psychoactive substances, though the AAIB has not linked this to the technical failure.
An Air India Airbus A320 experienced a near-simultaneous loss of all three hydraulic systems mid-flight, causing an altitude upset and injuring 24 people. A preliminary investigation revealed the pilot-in-command tested positive for a psychoactive substance post-flight, leading to their termination, while the technical aspects of the incident are still under scrutiny.
Cooperation Minister Amit Shah announces Bharat Taxi, a cooperative-led ride-hailing platform, has reached 2.13 million users and 231,000 drivers. The platform operates on a zero-commission model, prioritising driver welfare and expansion into Tier 2 and 3 cities.
Making UPI payments fee-based for some transactions could enhance mental reservations against digital payments -- which have largely been overcome -- once more. Do we want to regress?, asks R Jagannthan.
