June 1: The Jammu and Kashmir Transport Department has cancelled the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Licence granted to Ola, citing its failure to operationalize its branch office in Jammu and non-compliance with licensing conditions despite repeated notices.

With the cancellation of the licence, Ola will no longer be authorized to operate as a motor vehicle aggregator in Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory unless it secures fresh permissions in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations.

According to an order issued by Transport Commissioner J&K, Vishesh Paul Mahajan , the licence bearing No. 0001 dated September 21, 2023, granted to M/s ANI Technologies Private Limited (OLA), has been cancelled with immediate effect under the provisions of the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Rules, 2023.

The order states that ANI Technologies Pvt Ltd, which has its registered office at Koramangala, Bengaluru, Karnataka, and had declared a branch office at ABC Building, New Plot, Jammu, near Krishna Building (Looks Salon), was granted the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Licence subject to compliance with conditions laid down under Rule 8-14 of S.O. 453 dated August 29, 2023.

One of the key conditions stipulated that the licensee must comply with all prescribed requirements and commence operations within six months from the date of issuance of the licence. Failure to do so would result in the licence being deemed cancelled.

The Transport Department observed that the company failed to operationalize its Jammu office and did not commence aggregator services from the declared premises. During an inspection conducted by a team of the Regional Transport Officer, Jammu, on December 13, 2024, the branch office was reportedly found to be non-functional and non-traceable.

The order further reveals that the department issued three separate notices, including show-cause and suspension notices, to the company seeking clarification regarding the status of its operations. These notices were issued on December 1, 2025, April 2, 2026, and April 30, 2026. However, no response was received from the company despite repeated opportunities.

“In view of the facts and circumstances stated hereinabove, and in exercise of powers conferred under S.O. 453 dated 29.08.2023 and Rule 19(1) of the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Rules, 2023, the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Licence No. 0001 dated 21.09.2023 is hereby cancelled with immediate effect,” the order reads.

The cancellation order has been communicated to the Inspector General of Police, Secretary Transport Department, all Regional Transport Officers and Assistant Regional Transport Officers (ARTOs) for information and necessary action.

The regulatory action by the Transport Department to ensure strict compliance with the conditions governing app-based transport aggregators in Jammu and Kashmir has come a few days after declaring operations of popular bike service RAPIDO in the UT as illegal.

It may be recalled that on May 20, Transport Commissioner, Vishesh Paul Mahajan took to social media platform X declaring RAPIDO service in J&K as illegal.

“Well I am in receipt of complaints regarding operation of RAPIDO in the UT. Let me clarify that this bike service does not have a license to operate in Jammu and Kashmir. Further anybody participating in the service or using it is doing at his/ her own risk . I have given directions to my Officers to take action against this illegal service,” he posted on his official account on X.

Interestingly, RAPIDO was operating its bike aggregator service in J&K, but had no license for the same, whereas OLA got the license in 2023, but did not operate properly.

When contacted, Transport Commissioner, Vishesh Paul Mahajan disclosed that RAPIDO has now formally applied for the licence to operate in the Union Territory and the department is assessing fulfilment of required formalities for granting the permission. “In Jammu, our team recently conducted an inspection of RAPIDO infrastructure and issued necessary instructions for fulfilment of pending formalities, while in Kashmir, the report of inspection team is awaited,” he told the Excelsior, adding that once all the norms are found completed, the licence will be granted to RAPIDO for operating its aggregator service in J&K.