India, Nov. 21 -- A Karnataka government-appointed expert committee has delivered a decisive verdict on the state's long-running bike-taxi controversy, recommending a complete continuation of the ban while allowing private two-wheelers to keep operating for app-based delivery services.

The panel, formed after a Karnataka High Court directive, made a clear legal and functional distinction: delivering goods is lawful on private vehicles, ferrying passengers for money is not, Moneycontrol reported.

Chaired by Transport Secretary NV Prasad, the committee concluded that bike taxis are "unlawful, unsafe and incompatible" with Bengaluru's strained mobility ecosystem.

It pointed out that private motorcycles with white number plates cannot be u...