By Admin Hundreds of BluSmart driver partners across Delhi-NCR have launched protests demanding unpaid dues, compensation, and alternative employment following the sudden shutdown of the electric vehicle (EV) ride-hailing platform in mid-April 2025. The shutdown left over 10,000 drivers across Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru, and Mumbai jobless overnight, with no formal communication or clarity on pending payments from the company.
Background of the Crisis
BluSmart abruptly halted operations in April 2025 after the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) barred its cofounders, Anmol Singh Jaggi and Puneet Singh Jaggi, from accessing securities markets and holding board positions. The regulatory action stemmed from allegations of fund siphoning and document forgery linked to Gensol Engineering, a solar EPC firm closely associated with BluSmart. Credit rating agencies had also downgraded Gensol Engineering due to default in debt servicing, deepening the financial crisis for BluSmart.
Drivers’ Plight and Protest Demands
Drivers, many of whom regarded BluSmart as the best platform they had worked with, expressed frustration at being left without pay or jobs despite their contributions to building the company. They reported that weekly payments, including an Rs 8,000 bonus for earnings above Rs 20,000 and other incentives, stopped abruptly. Some drivers allege that funds meant for incentives were diverted for personal use by the founders.
The drivers’ key demands include:
- Immediate payment of all pending salaries and incentives.
- Compensation equivalent to at least three months’ salary as severance pay.
- Alternative employment opportunities or a government-backed takeover to reinstate jobs.
- Legislation to protect gig workers from sudden termination and ensure severance pay.
- Transfer of vehicle leases to drivers to enable ownership and continuation of their livelihoods.
Women drivers, who formed a significant part of BluSmart’s workforce, highlighted the difficulty in finding new jobs, especially single mothers who are disproportionately affected.
Impact on Drivers and Families
Many drivers are sole breadwinners supporting families of five or more members, facing acute financial stress. Some struggle to pay school fees or meet daily expenses without any income or clarity on their future. The sudden job loss has left drivers feeling abandoned, with the BluSmart app no longer allowing them to log in or access work.
Calls for Government Intervention
Protesters have urged the central government to intervene, suggesting that the recently announced Sahkar Taxi cooperative model could be a solution to re-employ the drivers under a zero-commission structure. They also demand the right to unionize and legal safeguards for gig workers to prevent exploitation in the future.
Current Status
BluSmart has not issued any official statement since the shutdown, and some of its vehicles have been seized by banks or acquired by rival EV cab operators. Meanwhile, the company is reportedly seeking a buyer in a distressed sale, but the drivers remain uncertain about their employment and compensation.
The BluSmart drivers’ protests highlight the vulnerabilities of gig economy workers and the urgent need for regulatory frameworks to protect their rights and livelihoods in an increasingly digital and platform-driven economy.
