Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai announced on Monday, 27 July 2026 that the state government has integrated more than 15,000 autos and e-rickshaws into a QR code-based identification system, enabling passengers to instantly retrieve vehicle and driver details with a single scan.

Posting on X, CM Sai wrote: 'तकनीक आधारित नवाचार सुशासन का सशक्त आधार है' ('Technology-based innovation is the strong foundation of good governance'), adding that the government is using information technology to make public transport safer, more transparent, and more convenient for citizens.

Context

The initiative covers the informal last-mile transport segment — autorickshaws and electric rickshaws — which millions of daily commuters in Chhattisgarh depend on. Under the scheme, each enrolled vehicle is assigned a QR code that, when scanned by a passenger, displays essential information about the vehicle and its driver. The move is aimed at building passenger confidence and improving accountability in a sector that has historically operated with limited formal oversight.

Policy Backdrop

The QR code rollout aligns with the national Digital India programme, launched in 2015, which encourages states to adopt information technology for transparent governance and citizen-facing service delivery. Chhattisgarh, under the BJP government that took office in December 2023 following state assembly elections, has emphasised technology integration as a pillar of its governance agenda. Indian states have progressively adopted digital tracking and identification tools for last-mile transport to increase operator accountability.

Stakeholders and Impact

The primary beneficiaries are daily passengers — particularly women and senior citizens — who can now verify a driver's credentials before or during a journey without relying on manual checks. Auto and e-rickshaw operators who comply with the registration requirement gain a formal digital identity, which may ease future access to government schemes and financial services. Transport regulators gain a real-time, scannable record of vehicles operating on state roads.

What's Next

Officials and observers will watch whether the state extends QR-based verification to taxis, city buses, or other vehicle categories, and whether the system is eventually linked with state police databases for driver background verification. A wider rollout could position Chhattisgarh as a reference model for digitising informal transport across central India. Sustained enforcement of registration compliance among operators will be critical to the scheme's long-term effectiveness.