Kozhikode: The Kerala government has declared that online taxi operators Uber and Ola are functioning illegally in the state, as they have not obtained the mandatory approval from the State Transport Authority (STA).

Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar on Saturday said that strict action would be taken against those operating without proper authorisation.

“The operations of online taxi companies like Uber and Ola in the state are illegal,” the minister said. “Online taxis can operate legally only after securing permission from the STA. Those running services without approval will be seized,” he warned.

The minister explained that the state had finalised its Online Taxi Aggregator Policy in accordance with the Central Motor Vehicles (Aggregator Guidelines) 2020, which regulate app-based taxi and bike services across India.

The policy requires all online taxi platforms to register with the STA to ensure passenger safety, data accountability, and compliance with fare and insurance norms.

According to Kumar, only Rapido has so far submitted an application seeking approval under the new policy.

Uber and Ola, despite continuing to operate in several Kerala cities including Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, and Kozhikode, have not registered with the authority.

He noted that the STA, chaired by the State Transport Commissioner, has already convened a meeting to examine Rapido’s application.

“We are processing Rapido’s application as per the norms. Once permission is granted, it will be the first legally approved aggregator in the state,” the minister added.

Kumar also pointed out that the Centre recently revised the licence fee for online taxi operators, making registration a legal prerequisite. “The policy was prepared following a court directive. The government will not permit any platform to operate outside the legal framework,” he said.

The minister’s remarks signal a tightening of regulatory oversight over app-based taxi services in Kerala, which have so far operated in a legal grey area.

The Transport Department is expected to begin enforcement drives against unregistered aggregators in the coming days.