The panel – which included members from various ministries as well as the NITI Aayog – stated that passenger safety would need to be addressed through proper policies and that the lack of services in the market could lead to an oligopoly.

Globally private vehicles are allowed to double-up as taxis through a ride-sharing platform in several countries such as the United States and Singapore.

A NITI Aayog report last year had stated that private vehicles had an average occupancy of 1.15 people, implying that they were occupied for only 28 per cent of the time.

Last July, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) opposed the plan to allow private vehicles, claiming that it would be unfair for those with commercial vehicle permits.

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