Uber launches auto goods delivery in Bengaluru despite legal ban; gig workers plan protest

Uber has launched a 'Parcel Mini 3W' service in Bengaluru, allowing passenger autos to deliver goods, despite this being illegal under the Karnataka Motor Vehicles Rules and the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Gig workers have threatened to protest next week. Passenger auto-rickshaws are registered as contract carriages, legally permitted to carry only three passengers and their personal luggage, not dedicated goods. Uber joins Rapido and Porter in offering this service, and workers accuse the Transport Department of making false promises after a June protest. The Transport Department issued a show-cause notice but did not order platforms to stop, citing loopholes in the state's aggregator policy. Additional Commissioner MP Omkareshwari said enforcement actions can only target auto owners, not companies, while policy updates are under discussion.