**Summary:**
In response to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 172, addressed on July 31, 2025, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways clarifies the government's position on carpooling. The government recognizes carpooling as a sustainable and efficient mobility solution with potential environmental benefits, including reduced vehicular emissions, lower fuel consumption, and better utilization of transport infrastructure. While commercial ridesharing is governed by the Motor Vehicle Aggregators Guidelines, 2025, non-commercial carpooling, defined as cost-sharing without profit among private individuals, is neither prohibited nor regulated by the government. Clause 15 of the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines 2020 provided for aggregation of non-transport vehicles unless prohibited by the State Government. The new guidelines, Motor Vehicles Aggregators Guidelines, 2025, have been issued to keep the regulatory framework up to date with the developments in the motor vehicles aggregators ecosystem. The government is committed to promoting shared mobility as part of its efforts to reduce urban traffic congestion, enhance transport efficiency and minimize environmental impact.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways: The Indian government ministry responsible for the formulation and administration of rules, regulations and laws relating to road transport, national highways and transport research.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
Nitin Jairam Gadkari: The Minister of Road Transport and Highways.
Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines 2020: Guidelines governing the operations of motor vehicle aggregators.
Motor Vehicles Aggregators Guidelines, 2025: New guidelines issued to update the regulatory framework for motor vehicle aggregators.
DR. D RAVI KUMAR: A member of Lok Sabha who asked the starred question about encouraging carpooling.
carpooling: The policy topic being addressed, specifically encouraging carpooling as an efficient and sustainable alternative mobility solution.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 172
ANSWERED ON 31ST JULY, 2025
ENCOURAGING CARPOOLING
*172. DR. D RAVI KUMAR:
Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री
be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government considers carpooling to be an efficient
and sustainable alternative mobility solution and if so, the details
thereof;
(b) whether it is cognizant of the environmental benefits associated
therewith and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government recognizes the key differences
between commercial ride-sharing services and non-commercial
carpooling models where cost-sharing occurs without profit motive
among private individuals and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether Clause 15 of the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines
2020 which currently governs aggregator operations applies
uniformly to both commercial ride-sharing and non-commercial
carpooling activities and if so, the details thereof; and
(e) whether the Government is considering a separate regulatory
framework or guidelines for the carpooling sector and enable its
legal, safe and scalable operation across the State and if so, the
details thereof?ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)
(a) to (e) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF THE
LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 172 ANSWERED ON 31ST JULY
2025 ASKED BY DR. D RAVI KUMAR REGARDING ENCOURAGING
CARPOOLING
(a) & (b) The Government is committed to promoting
sustainable and efficient mobility solutions as part of its broader
efforts to reduce urban traffic congestion, enhance transport
efficiency and minimize environmental impact. Shared mobility is
one amongst the various options in this regard. The Government is
also aware of the potential associated environmental benefits
which may lead to reduced vehicular emissions, lower fuel
consumption and better utilisation of existing transport
infrastructure.
(c) to (e) Clause 15 of Motor Vehicle Aggregators Guidelines,
2020 provided for aggregation of non-transport vehicles by
aggregators unless prohibited by the State Government. The new
guidelines (Motor Vehicles Aggregators Guidelines, 2025) have been
issued to keep the regulatory framework up to date with the
developments in the motor vehicles aggregators ecosystem.
Commercial ride sharing is covered under the Aggregator
Guidelines issued by the Government. However, non-
commercial ride sharing is neither prohibited nor regulated by the
Government.
*****