The Maharashtra Cabinet approved the transport department's proposal to allow bike taxis in the state, reported NDTV on Tuesday.
Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said the policy aimed to generate employment for 20,000 to 25,000 citizens in the state, with 6,000 riders in Mumbai and nearly 10,000 riders in the entirety of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region expected to benefit.
The proposal ensured that only electric bikes will be allowed to take on pillion passengers, as a part of the state government's initiative to promote electric vehicles.
Women's security remains a focus, Sarnaik said. He added that financial assistance of Rs 10,000 would be given to the children of auto and taxi drivers as a means of purchasing a bike taxi.
Earlier, bike services was available in cities like Delhi and Noida. Now, it will also be available to passengers in Mumbai.
Until now, states like Goa, Telangana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh have permitted bike taxis, while Maharashtra and Delhi had previously banned them.
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