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Weekend Unwind with Promodome Group’s Sandiip Kapur
Mumbai: With another weekend upon us, it is time to unwind with the latest Q&A edition of Indiantelevision.com’s Weekend Unwind – a series of informal chats that peek into the minds of business executives through a fun lens in an attempt to get to know the person behind the title a little better.
In this week’s session, we have Promodome Group founder & president Sandiip Kapur.
Without further ado, here it goes…
Your mantra for life
Keep moving forward, no matter the obstacles. Hard work and perseverance always pay off.
A book you are currently reading or plan to read
The Lean Startup by Eric Ries – it’s a great guide for innovation and staying agile in the fast-paced world of business.
Your fitness mantra
Consistency over intensity. A little progress every day adds up to big results.
Your comfort food
A simple plate of sambhar rice. It reminds me of home and keeps me grounded.
A quote or philosophy that keeps you going when the chips are down
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” -Winston Churchill
Your guilty pleasure
Binge-watching motivational documentaries late at night, even when I should be sleeping.
The last time you tried something new
I recently took up meditation to help calm my mind and manage stress better.
A life lesson you learned the hard way:
You can’t control everything. Sometimes, you just have to let go and trust the process.
What gets you excited about life?
The endless possibilities that each new day brings and the chance to create something meaningful.
What’s on top of your bucket list?
To see my agency recognised as one of the top media buying powerhouses in India.
If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?
Stay patient, keep learning, and don’t let anxiety control you. Good things take time.
One thing you would most like to change about the world
I wish there was more empathy and understanding among people. A little kindness can go a long way.
An activity that keeps you motivated and charged during tough times
Running in the early mornings. It helps clear my mind and sets the tone for the day
What lifts your spirits when life gets you down?
Spending time with my family-they are my biggest support system.
Your go-to stress buster
Listening to music while sipping on a hot cup of green tea.
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Maharashtra revokes Ola, Uber, Rapido bike taxi licences
Temporary e-bike taxi permits cancelled as firms fail to meet state rules
MUMBAI: Maharashtra’s roads are set to see fewer zipping two-wheelers after the state government pulled the plug on provisional licences granted to bike taxi giants Ola, Uber and Rapido. Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced in the Legislative Council on Monday that temporary permissions would be revoked.
“These companies were given permission for just a month and were required to submit certain documents. Since they have not complied, their temporary licences are cancelled. This is to ensure illegal bikes do not operate on our roads,” Sarnaik said.
The move follows the Maharashtra E Bike Taxi Rules 2024, designed to generate employment for local youth and offer commuters a cheaper, greener ride option. The rules, approved in August 2024, allow electric bike taxis in cities with over one lakh residents.
Under the policy, only electric vehicles can ply as taxis, and operators had 30 days to fulfil licensing and compliance requirements. Yet, officials claim many continued operations without meeting these conditions. Sarnaik added that a large number of bike taxis currently running in Mumbai and the wider Mumbai Metropolitan Region are illegal.
In a firm enforcement twist, the government has instructed authorities to focus on vehicle owners rather than riders when registering cases. Safety concerns, particularly for women passengers, and accident complaints have also been flagged by the transport department.
Since April 2024, Regional Transport Offices have taken action against 130 non-compliant bike taxis, collecting fines exceeding Rs 33 lakh. Authorities say further measures will follow to ensure services adhere to regulations before returning to city streets.
Maharashtra’s bike taxi saga has been a rollercoaster. Initially banned in January 2023 due to concerns over private vehicles ferrying passengers, the sector was later formalised through an electric bike framework in 2024. Provisional licences were granted in 2025, but the government now warns that any bike taxi operating on city roads without proper permits will be considered illegal.
Adding to the transport shake-up, the government has also halted the issuance of new auto rickshaw permits from March 9 to ease urban traffic pressures and safeguard livelihoods of existing drivers. A fresh standard operating procedure for future permits is set to go before the state cabinet soon.
Maharashtra commuters may have to find alternative rides as the state reins in its two-wheeled taxi revolution, leaving app-based bikers in a legal limbo.
