Amit Shah Launches ‘Bharat Taxi’ in Gujarat, Touts Cooperative Model for Drivers

Gandhinagar, Gujarat – Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated a new taxi platform called “Bharat Taxi” on Saturday, positioning it as a cooperative‑driven alternative to existing ride‑hailing services. Speaking at the launch, Shah praised the initiative for expanding mobility options across the state and for its structure that treats drivers as “Saarthis,” a term he used to denote partners rather than merely contractors.

The service, which will operate under a cooperative framework, aims to give drivers a stake in the business and a share of profits, differentiating it from profit‑centric models that dominate the Indian market. While specific operational details remain limited, officials indicated that the platform will roll out in phases, initially covering key urban corridors before expanding to semi‑urban and rural areas.

For the South‑Asian diaspora, especially those with family ties in Gujarat, the launch signals a shift toward more driver‑friendly employment structures in India’s gig economy. It may also hint at broader policy encouragement for cooperative enterprises, potentially influencing similar ventures in other states. As the service scales, its impact on driver livelihoods and commuter choices will be closely watched by community members both at home and abroad.