State to challenge Karnataka High Court order on bike-taxis in Supreme Court

Bengaluru: The state govt, which has opposed bike-taxi operations, is set to file an appeal in the Supreme Court challenging the Karnataka High Court's Jan order, transport minister Ramalinga Reddy confirmed to TOI.The high court had ruled that a blanket ban on bike taxis was not legally valid and directed the transport department to permit such services by classifying two-wheelers as transport vehicles and issuing contract carriage permits.The move is expected to intensify the legal dispute between the govt and bike-taxi operators.A department source said the govt has authorised an appeal, arguing that two-wheelers cannot be treated as transport vehicles under the Motor Vehicles Act. It also cited concerns over safety risks for women, children, and pillion riders, which it plans to present before the Supreme Court.Following the HC order, autorickshaw unions have also urged the govt to challenge the ruling and ban bike-taxi services.