📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Newone
Automobile
Cab drivers protest Green SM's Bengaluru launch, claim regulatory breach
✍️ India Today
🗓 12 Nov 2026, 04:31 AM
👁 22
The launch of Green SM’s ride‑hailing service in Bengaluru has triggered protests from local cab drivers, who say the company sidestepped mandatory licensing rules.
Green SM, a new ride‑hailing platform, began operations in Bengaluru this week, prompting immediate backlash from the city’s traditional taxi community. Drivers from several unions gathered outside the company’s local office, holding placards that accused the firm of entering the market without adhering to established regulations.
According to the cab drivers, Green SM bypassed the Karnataka Transport Department’s licensing process, which requires new entrants to obtain a permit, submit vehicle safety certifications, and comply with fare‑control guidelines. They claim the company’s rapid rollout ignored these statutory steps, giving it an unfair advantage over existing operators.
Representatives of Green SM responded that they have complied with all applicable laws and are in the process of finalising any pending paperwork with authorities. The Karnataka Transport Department, when approached for comment, said it is reviewing the complaints and will take appropriate action if any violations are confirmed.
The dispute highlights ongoing tensions in India’s urban mobility sector, where emerging app‑based services often clash with conventional transport providers over regulatory frameworks and market share.
According to the cab drivers, Green SM bypassed the Karnataka Transport Department’s licensing process, which requires new entrants to obtain a permit, submit vehicle safety certifications, and comply with fare‑control guidelines. They claim the company’s rapid rollout ignored these statutory steps, giving it an unfair advantage over existing operators.
Representatives of Green SM responded that they have complied with all applicable laws and are in the process of finalising any pending paperwork with authorities. The Karnataka Transport Department, when approached for comment, said it is reviewing the complaints and will take appropriate action if any violations are confirmed.
The dispute highlights ongoing tensions in India’s urban mobility sector, where emerging app‑based services often clash with conventional transport providers over regulatory frameworks and market share.