Transport operators in Maharashtra set for Statewide strike from Thursday; demand rollback of e-challan system

The Maharashtra Transporters Action Committee (M-TAC), a coalition representing truck, tempo, bus, taxi and rickshaw operators, has reiterated its call for an indefinite strike from Thursday, March 5, 2026, following a breakdown in talks with the State government. The decision, announced after the meeting on Sunday, threatens to paralyze both commercial and public transport in Maharashtra.

At the heart of the agitation is a number of grievances, with e-challan administration emerging as the primary flashpoint. Malkit Singh Bal, a Mumbai-based logistics entrepreneur and former president of the All India Motor Transport Congress, voiced the demands of the industry, emphasizing that the current system has become a tool of harassment rather than a mechanism to ensure road safety.

‘Arbitrary punishments must end’

Mr. Bal, who sits on the high-level committee formed to address these issues, expressed his disappointment with the government’s inaction. He noted that although the panel submitted a comprehensive report with recommendations on December 17, not a single reform was implemented.

Among the key demands put forward by M-TAC is the immediate withdrawal of the new e-challan rules issued by the Central government in January 2026. Transporters are also demanding cancellation of all pending e-challans older than 90 days on the grounds that the committee formed during the June 2025 agitations failed to provide a concrete solution. Mr. Bal said, “Traffic police should focus on regulation and discipline, not revenue collection,” and called for an end to what they described as the forced collection of roadside fines.

The association is also seeking legislative amendments to Sections 177 and 200(1) of the Motor Vehicles Act relating to compound charges. They argue that under the Code of Criminal Procedure, all statute-barred cases that are not brought before the court within the statute of limitations should be annulled. An important demand is the transfer of responsibility for traffic offenses from the vehicle owner to a specific driver and recording violations directly in the driver’s license.

Infrastructure and reinforcement problems

Beyond the e-challan system, transporters have raised red flags over sudden and impractical ‘No Entry’ restrictions. They called for a consultative policy to replace what they called arbitrary restrictions that caused serious difficulties in the movement of goods.

Further complicating matters are repeated instructions for renewing safety equipment. M-TAC has called for a comprehensive review of requirements ranging from glass visibility norms to panic buttons, High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) and various body codes. “No new reinforcement orders should be introduced without a technical and impartial investigation into the accidents,” Mr Bal said, voicing his strong opposition to what he suspected were financial reasons driving these safety practices.

The committee also highlighted the lack of basic infrastructure. Their demands include the immediate provision of authorized parking areas, dedicated loading and unloading zones and appropriate rest facilities for drivers. They also called for the removal of State checkpoints and resolution of certificate of eligibility hurdles until Automated Testing Centers are fully operational.

‘Treat us with dignity’

In a strongly worded statement, M-TAC lamented the “status and dignity” accorded to private carriers, which they argued were effectively public service vehicle operators. Mr. Bal said, “It is a great misfortune that although we make a vital contribution to the economy and public mobility of the state, we are not shown the necessary respect by the authorities.” He demanded that the government adopt a constructive approach and approach the sector with fairness and sensitivity.

Strike to continue without written assurance

While Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik stated that he had a positive perspective on addressing the concerns, M-TAC was not convinced by verbal promises. The Committee made it clear that the Statewide strike would be inevitable unless a formal Government Resolution (GR) was signed and delivered.

The agitation is gearing up for a massive lockdown, with students exposed to the highest risk, with the Mumbai School Buses Association joining the protest during the crucial board exam period. The coalition also includes private tourist buses, tempos, taxis and app-based taxis.

The maharA meeting between M-TAC representatives, the Transport Commissioner and senior officials remained inconclusive and nothing came of the discussions. While the government has previously signaled potential concessions, including a “Cleaner Notice” scheduled for March 6 and the Prime Minister’s pending decision on the closure of border checkpoints, the lack of progress has left the impasse unresolved. As a result, the State is now bracing for possible disruptions in the supply chain of essential commodities, including milk and vegetables, as well as a complete halt to last-mile connectivity in major urban centers such as Mumbai and Pune.