Delhi CM Rekha Gupta on Friday held an important meeting with automobile manufacturers and aggregator companies such as Ola and Uber, in order to encourage greater adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in the capital and to promote shared mobility. The Delhi Government has agreed in principle to allow privately owned EVs to operate as shared taxis.

Rekha Gupta stated that to realise this objective, the government would amend the relevant rules and develop an effective mechanism to address the concerns of the companies.

Rekha Gupta reiterated that the Delhi Government is fully committed to permanently reducing pollution in Delhi NCR through all possible policies, technologies and partnerships.

She emphasised that effective and sustainable control of pollution in Delhi is possible only by reducing the number of vehicles on the roads. She further said that transport-related companies must actively support the government’s mission, as only then can the capital quickly transform into Viksit Delhi.

The meeting, held at the Delhi Secretariat, was attended by the transport minister and senior officials from the Transport Department, representatives from automobile manufacturers including Tata Motors, Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki, Toyota, and Honda, as well as representatives of aggregator companies Ola, Uber, and Rapido.

Addressing the meeting, the CM stated that the government is in principle willing to provide facilitation to companies, resolve their issues and introduce flexibility in rules, so that people are encouraged to purchase EVs and use aggregator services for commuting.

However, she added that these companies must also take decisions and provide concessions that increase public inclination towards their services.

During the meeting, vehicle manufacturers informed the CM that complete control over pollution would require full-scale deployment of electric vehicles and the introduction of a people-centric EV policy.

They expressed expectations of certain concessions to strengthen infrastructure in the capital, including the establishment of charging stations, stating that these measures would accelerate EV adoption. In response Rekha Gupta stated that the government is prepared to provide land for setting up charging stations, but companies must also explore the possibility of charging vehicles through solar energy.

She further emphasised that companies themselves would have to manage battery waste, so that another source of pollution does not emerge.

Rekha Gupta reiterated that while the government is ready, in principle, to extend concessions, companies must also provide benefits to vehicle buyers to increase public interest in EVs.

She asked the companies to submit a plan outlining the timeline within which they would be able to meet demand-based supply of electric vehicles across Delhi. She also stated that vehicle pricing should be structured in a manner that attracts consumers.

CM Rekha Gupta and her team also held a separate meeting with representatives of aggregator companies. The companies agreed to operate shared taxis and stated that within one month they would begin services for shared taxis and taxis driven by women drivers.

They also said that they are ready to onboard private EVs and BS-VI vehicles as taxis, but this would require changes in existing rules. Rekha Gupta assured them that such changes would be made in the coming days, while stressing that passenger safety measures must be strictly ensured by the companies. The companies agreed to this.

Rekha Gupta also asked them to explore the possibility of integrating e-rickshaws into their platforms and suggested that companies consider operating shuttle services on the Ring Road and to and from the airport.

She assured full government support for these initiatives and suggested that companies may initially implement pilot projects to assess their feasibility and utility.

She stated that the Delhi Government is determined to reduce pollution in Delhi NCR under all circumstances and will adopt every necessary measure to achieve this goal.

Rekha Gupta said that the Delhi Government views pollution control not merely as an administrative responsibility, but as a mission linked to public health and future generations.

She stated that the transport sector has been a major contributor to pollution in Delhi, and therefore the government is promoting electric vehicles, shared mobility, e-rickshaws, shuttle services and women-friendly taxi models.

She emphasised that providing affordable, safe and environmentally friendly transport facilities to the public will remain a top priority.