The Assam government has decided to allow private two-wheelers and cab owners to operate under app-based aggregators such as Ola, Uber and Rapido to earn extra money without changing the colour of their vehicles or number plates.

However, the number of trips will be capped and they will have to follow other rules and regulations that are applicable to full-time riders who are dependent on the cab aggregators for their livelihood.

The Assam cabinet decision to allow these private or non-transport (non-commercial) vehicles to ply under the taxi aggregators was taken on Thursday and is a firstof-its-kind initiative in the country, representatives of the government and the taxi aggregators told The Telegraph on Friday.

A government official said the move was aimed at helping both the young and the unemployed to ply their vehicles by adhering to the yet-to-be approved Assam Motor Vehicle Aggregator Rules, 2022.

The rules will be put in public domain soon for feedback before ratification.

The official said the move would not only help “enhance” self-dependence/esteem and urban mobility but also help “ease” traffic congestion and “reduce” pollution. On average, 4.5 lakh vehicles are purchased in Assam, of which 75 per cent are two-wheelers.

“The rules are yet to be framed but the aim is to see young people and the unemployed, especially students, earn some money by registering their bikes and cabs with the aggregators so they become self-dependent. However, the number of rides will be capped at four a day so their study is not hampered,” the official said.

Additionally, four-wheelers owners can also register their vehicles with the cab aggregators to run a pool service.

“Suppose a person is travelling about 22km from Guwahati to Jorabat on official work. Instead of commuting alone, he can, under the new rules, pick up three commuters en route and three commuters while returning. This way, he earns an additional income. Under the pooling system, his idle assets (the three empty seats) will be utilised and this will contribute to the state’s economy,” the official added.

Currently, there are 5,000 cabs registered under Ola and Uber in Guwahati.