• Drivers affiliated with application-based cab services such as Ola, Rapido, and Uber are scheduled to hold a statewide shutdown across Maharashtra state on October 9. 
• The shutdown will be held to draw attention to long-standing demands for fare revision and the alleged failure of the state transport department to take enforcement action against the unauthorized operations of bike taxis by aggregator companies. 
• Protesters are also set to initiate a voluntary arrest agitation across multiple locations in the state as part of their campaign. The exact locations and time of this campaign remain undisclosed as of writing.  
• The protest coincides with the ongoing event at the Jio World Convention Centre in Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) in Mumbai in a bid to draw from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, scheduled to attend the event. 

1. The shutdown is likely to witness significant adherence across the state, based on the reported support from multiple driver communities, particularly in urban centers such as Mumbai and Pune. The shutdown is expected to be accompanied by spontaneous protests across the state. In Mumbai, such impromptu protests are likely to take place outside the State Transport Commissioner’s Office as well as the BKC, given the ongoing event in Mumbai. The authorities are likely to enhance security measures to minimize disruptions around key government buildings, including the deployment of additional security personnel and the installation of security barricades.
2. Given the sensitive nature of the issue, clashes between protesters and the security forces are a latent possibility should protests take place. The security forces are likely to deploy crowd control measures, including baton charges and preventive detentions, if the protesters are perceived to be acting unruly. Localized travel disruptions can be expected near the protest sites on the day due to the slated shutdown and anticipated protests across the state.

Those operating or residing in Maharashtra, including in Mumbai, on October 9 are advised to maintain vigilance due to the slated shutdown and potential protests, while allotting for travel disruptions.