India, Dec. 4 -- State transport minister Pratap Sarnaik on Wednesday ordered a sweeping crackdown on app-based bike taxi platforms, directing officials to file criminal cases against companies for flouting rules, such as allowing the use of private vehicles for commercial rides.

The state government recently rolled out its new bike taxi policy, after which several ride-sharing platforms began expanding services aggressively. However, Sarnaik said many platforms were onboarding riders without offering any training in road rules, safety protocols or passenger handling. He also accused them of using private, non-transport two-wheelers for commercial rides-a violation he described as "serious and deliberate".

Government concerns escalated ...