UHM Amit Shah Launches India’s First Cooperative Ride-Hailing Platform ‘Bharat Taxi’ in Gujarat

From Drivers to Owners: Amit Shah Launches Cooperative Bharat Taxi, Expands India’s Mobility Revolution
Bharat Taxi Debuts in Gujarat: Amit Shah Launches Zero-Commission, Driver-Owned Mobility Platform

Amit Shah Launches India’s First Cooperative Ride-Hailing Platform ‘Bharat Taxi’ in Gujarat

• Bilkul Online
• Ahmedabad | 27 June 2026

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah on Saturday launched Bharat Taxi, India’s first cooperative, driver-owned ride-hailing platform, at the Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre in Gandhinagar, marking a major milestone in extending Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Sahkar se Samriddhi’ (Prosperity through Cooperation) to the transport and mobility sector.

Addressing the gathering, Shah said the launch of Bharat Taxi represented a new chapter in India’s cooperative movement. “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ministry of Cooperation is working to take the cooperative movement into every sector of the economy. Bharat Taxi is a historic initiative that transforms drivers from mere service providers into owners of the platform. The principle of ‘Saarthi Hi Maalik’ will ensure dignity, economic empowerment and social security for lakhs of drivers.”

He added that, “The Prime Minister has consistently emphasised that cooperation is the foundation of inclusive development. Bharat Taxi is a living example of ‘Sahkar se Samriddhi’, where technology and cooperative ownership come together to create prosperity for ordinary citizens.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has often described cooperation as a powerful instrument of inclusive growth, saying that “Prosperity through cooperation is the path towards building a developed India,” a vision that forms the foundation of the Bharat Taxi initiative.

Built on the principle of ‘Saarthi Hi Maalik’ (The Driver is the Owner), Bharat Taxi is a digital mobility platform that empowers drivers not only as service providers but also as stakeholders and owners of the platform. The cooperative model provides Saarthis with economic empowerment, social security and long-term ownership benefits.

The launch programme was attended by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi, Secretary, Ministry of Cooperation, Dr. Ashish Kumar Bhutani, Gujarat Cabinet Minister Jitubhai Savjibhai Vaghani, senior leaders from the cooperative sector, representatives of various institutions and more than 4,000 Bharat Taxi Saarthis from across Gujarat.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said Gujarat was proud to lead yet another cooperative innovation. Patel reiterated that “Gujarat has always been the cradle of India’s cooperative movement. Bharat Taxi demonstrates how the cooperative model can successfully embrace modern technology while creating sustainable livelihoods and ensuring inclusive growth.”

Harsh Sanghavi said the collaboration between Gujarat Police and Bharat Taxi would strengthen passenger safety. “With the integration of SOS services and driver verification, Bharat Taxi offers passengers a safer travel experience while supporting thousands of drivers through a transparent and cooperative business model” Sanghvi reiterated.

Driver-Owned Cooperative Platform

Bharat Taxi has been developed by Sahkar Taxi Cooperative Limited with the support of eight major cooperative institutions—NCDC, GCMMF (Amul), NDDB, NAFED, IFFCO, KRIBHCO, NABARD and NCEL. Registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002, the cooperative was established on June 6, 2025.

Operating on a zero-commission model, the platform enables drivers to retain their earnings while also receiving benefits such as insurance, loans, pension schemes and other government social security programmes.

Rapid Expansion in Gujarat

Gujarat has emerged as one of Bharat Taxi’s strongest markets. Of the more than 7 lakh Saarthis associated with the platform across India, over 1.5 lakh are from Gujarat. More than 7 lakh customers in the state have joined the platform, with over 3,500 rides being completed every day.

Bharat Taxi currently operates in 14 major cities—Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, Dwarka, Somnath, Valsad, Anand, Jamnagar, Bhavnagar, Nadiad, Junagadh, Mehsana and Amreli—and aims to expand its services across Gujarat within the next month.

During the event, the best-performing Saarthis were felicitated with share certificates, reinforcing the cooperative ownership model, while several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were exchanged with partner institutions.

Integrated with Gujarat Police’s digital safety framework, Bharat Taxi offers SOS assistance, driver verification and surge-free pricing. Customers can choose from bike, auto-rickshaw and cab services through the platform.

With plans to expand across all states and major cities of the country, Bharat Taxi aims to create an inclusive, technology-driven and cooperative mobility ecosystem that empowers drivers while providing safe, affordable and reliable transport to millions of passengers.