Four major cab apps suspended in Chandigarh: What it means for Tricity commuters
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, September 9, 2026:
Commuting across Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali could become more difficult after the suspension of licences of four major app-based cab aggregators operating in the Tricity.
While Ola and inDrive were suspended earlier this year, the Chandigarh Administration’s State Transport Authority (STA) on Tuesday suspended the licences of Uber and Rapido for six months with immediate effect.
The action has effectively removed four of the most familiar names in app-based transport from Chandigarh's mobility network, raising concerns about how thousands of daily commuters will manage their journeys.
The development is particularly significant for people who regularly travel between Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali for work, education, healthcare and other purposes. The three cities operate as a closely connected urban region, with large numbers of people crossing their boundaries every day.
More than 25,000 aggregator cabs are estimated to operate across the Chandigarh Tricity. Many of these vehicles are registered in Punjab and Haryana but routinely serve passengers across the three-city region.
However, under the suspension orders, these aggregator cabs cannot operate in Chandigarh, regardless of where the vehicles are registered.
This means that a cab registered in Punjab or Haryana cannot simply continue taking passengers within Chandigarh during the suspension period.
Why the action matters for commuters
For many residents, app-based cabs have become more than an occasional convenience. They are now part of the daily transport routine, particularly for people travelling between the three cities.
Public transport remains an option, but it may not always provide the same combination of door-to-door connectivity, flexible timings and availability that app-based services offer. The gap becomes more noticeable for passengers travelling early in the morning, late at night or during heavy rain and other difficult weather conditions.
Students travelling to universities and colleges, employees commuting between cities and people requiring transport to hospitals or railway stations could all feel the impact.
The suspension could also increase pressure on buses, autos, traditional taxis and personal vehicles as commuters look for alternatives.
For those who have become dependent on app-based rides for daily travel, the immediate concern is simple: how easily can the existing transport system absorb thousands of additional passengers?
The issue becomes more complicated because the transport requirements of Chandigarh cannot always be separated from those of Panchkula and Mohali. A large part of the workforce and student population lives in one city and studies or works in another.
Why were the cab companies suspended?
The Chandigarh Administration has maintained that the action is based on alleged violations of regulations governing transport aggregators.
In Uber's case, the STA has flagged issues relating to fares, driver insurance and training, vehicle eligibility and other safety and operational requirements.
The authority has also alleged that Uber failed to follow the fare structure notified by the Chandigarh Administration in July 2025. Complaints were reportedly received alleging that passengers were being charged more than the prescribed rates.
Officials also raised objections to Uber's subscription or recharge-based model for drivers, finding it inconsistent with the applicable aggregator regulations. The authority further found that non-commercial vehicles had been attached to the platform, contrary to the rules.
Uber's local office in Sector 47-C also came under scrutiny. Officials reportedly found the office closed or locked during three inspections conducted in May.
The administration had already taken action against Ola and inDrive, citing alleged violations relating to driver welfare, training and other regulatory requirements.
The latest suspensions therefore mark a broader regulatory crackdown on app-based transport services in Chandigarh rather than an isolated action against a single company.
For the administration, the issue is one of regulatory compliance, passenger safety and enforcement of the rules governing aggregators. For commuters, however, the consequences are immediate and practical.
With four major platforms now facing suspension, Chandigarh's transport network is likely to face a greater test of its ability to provide affordable, reliable and easily accessible alternatives.