Chandigarh, September 18, 2026: Bharat Taxi was launched in U.T. Chandigarh today at a function organised by the Department of Cooperation, Chandigarh Administration.

Shri Gulab Chand Kataria, Hon’ble Administrator, U.T. Chandigarh, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Shri Murlidhar Mohol, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Cooperation and Civil Aviation, and Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Cooperation, also graced the function.

Shri H. Rajesh Prasad, IAS, Chief Secretary, U.T. Chandigarh; Shri Mandip Singh Brar, IAS, Home Secretary; Shri Diprava Lakra, IAS, Finance Secretary; Shri Raman Kumar, IAS, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India; Shri Jayen Mehta, Chairman, Bharat Taxi; and Shri L. Mohammed Mansoor, IAS, Secretary Cooperation, were also present. The event was attended by other senior officers of the Chandigarh Administration, representatives of Bharat Taxi, members of the cooperative sector, driver-members and invited guests.

The introduction of Bharat Taxi in Chandigarh marks an important step towards extending the cooperative model to the technology-driven mobility sector. The initiative places driver-members at the centre of the platform by encouraging their participation and ownership while combining the principles of cooperation with digital technology.

During the programme, the dignitaries were briefed about the initiative and its cooperative model. An audio-visual presentation highlighting its key features was screened, and share certificates were distributed to five driver-members, reflecting their participation as members and stakeholders.

The Chief Guest digitally inaugurated Bharat Taxi and subsequently flagged off its vehicles, marking the formal commencement of the service in U.T. Chandigarh.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Gulab Chand Kataria said that the initiative represented an important milestone in Chandigarh’s development journey and would promote dignity of labour, cooperative ownership, technological self-reliance and inclusive growth. He said that it would empower drivers by enabling them to participate not merely as service providers but also as members and stakeholders.

Highlighting Chandigarh’s modern and progressive character, the Administrator expressed confidence that Bharat Taxi would provide citizens with a safe, affordable and reliable mobility option while complementing the city’s public transport system. He assured the necessary cooperation and coordination of the Chandigarh Administration and urged Bharat Taxi to ensure transparent operations, data security, fair fares, effective grievance redressal and the promotion of electric and environment-friendly vehicles.

Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar said that Bharat Taxi was based on the cooperative model and would make taxi drivers active participants in the platform. As members and stakeholders, drivers would receive a share in its profits. He said that the initiative would help improve their income, strengthen their social and economic security, and ensure that the benefits of the platform reached the drivers themselves.

Shri Murlidhar Mohol said that nearly 10 lakh drivers had so far registered with Bharat Taxi across the country, including over one lakh drivers from Chandigarh. He said that the commencement of the service in Chandigarh marked another important phase in its expansion. Bharat Taxi plans to extend its services to other cities of Punjab, including Amritsar, Ludhiana and Jalandhar, in the coming months.

The Department of Cooperation, U.T. Chandigarh, coordinated the event in association with the departments concerned and representatives of Bharat Taxi. The initiative is expected to give further impetus to the cooperative movement by extending it to the mobility sector and promoting greater participation of members through a technology-enabled platform.