Bengaluru taxi unions oppose Vietnamese private electric taxi aggregator’s entry into Karnataka

The headquarters of Vingroup, Vietnam's largest company by market capitalisation, in Hanoi, Vietnam. Vingroup’s electric cab service, Green SM, has secured approval from the Karnataka Transport Department to launch app-based taxi operations across the State.

Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup’s electric cab service, Green SM, has secured approval from the Karnataka Transport Department to launch app-based taxi operations across the State, prompting opposition from city-based taxi associations.

A Transport Department official confirmed that the company had been granted permission under the Karnataka On-Demand Transportation Technology Aggregators Rules, 2016. The approval is valid until September 2031.

Organisations, including the Karnataka Rajya Chalakara Parishath and Peace Auto Union, protested against the move on Wednesday, arguing that the entry of another major aggregator could intensify competition and affect drivers’ incomes amid rising operating costs. They have urged the government to reconsider and withdraw the permission.

K. Somashekar, president of the Karnataka Rajya Chalakara Parishath, questioned whether the vehicles had undergone the mandatory inspections. “All cabs must be equipped with fare meters, display boards and prescribed GPS devices,” he said, adding that any licence issued without complying with the regulations should be withdrawn.