Maharashtra Transport Strike today: Autos, buses, taxis, and cab services to be affected on Thursday? Check full list here

Transporters across the state in Maharashtra have announced an indefinite strike on trucks, automobiles, tempo vehicles, school buses, taxis, private taxis and rickshaws from Thursday midnight. Transport unions across the state announced the strike on Tuesday after talks with Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik failed to give a satisfactory response to their complaints regarding e-challan, taxation and toll collections and other issues. The protest will be held at Azad Maidan in Mumbai.

Is there a strike in transportation today?

Yes, there is a transport strike in Maharashtra from Thursday midnight. The agitation is not limited to heavy trucks; It involves a broad coalition of school buses, private tourist buses, tempos, taxis and rickshaws, signaling a complete shutdown of the state’s transport machinery.

Maharashtra Transport Strike: Which services will be affected?

-According to a report in The Times of India, Anil Garg of the School Bus Owners Association warned that school buses will operate on Thursday morning but will not hit the roads from Friday.
-Taxi union leader DA Salian said many taxi drivers will also join the protest, expressing disappointment with the e-challan system where fines are often unfair and sometimes exceed the driver’s daily earnings. Mumbai Rickshaw Drivers Union leader Thampy Kurien added that autorickshaw drivers in the suburbs will also join the strike.

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-Trucks, tempos, tourist and school buses, taxis, private taxis and autorickshaws are expected to participate in the protest.
-Taxi and automobile unions also supported the protest. Taxi union leader DA Salian said many taxi drivers will join the strike as they feel the penalties under the e-challan system are unfair.
School and college students are likely to be among the worst affected, with the Mumbai School Buses Association joining the protest during the crucial board exam period. Along with education, the supply chain of essential goods such as vegetables, milk and fuel is also expected to face major disruptions in the next 48 to 72 hours.
-Passengers who depend on app-based taxis and autorickshaws may face steep price hikes or even a complete lack of availability, potentially bringing last-mile connectivity to a halt in cities like Mumbai and Pune.

Reason for Strike in Maharashtra Today

Transporters in Maharashtra have announced an indefinite strike from Thursday midnight over allegations of misuse of e-challan system and unfair penalties. Malik Patel of the Maharashtra Transport Action Committee told TOI that they will “continue the protest indefinitely” as talks with transport commissioner Rajesh Narvekar failed on Wednesday evening.

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Patel told TOI that the movement of trucks, buses and taxis may be partially affected from Thursday morning. Bal Malkit Singh of the transporters association said, “On Thursday noon, transporters will gather at Azad Maidan to protest. Vehicles will also start coming to the squares. If no decision is taken by the government by Thursday evening, we will observe an indefinite chakka jam across the state.”

E-Challan Reform: The transporters demanded cancellation of “unfair” and expired e-challans and removal of the rule requiring payment of 50 per cent deposit for continuation of hearings.

Infrastructure First: They also called for a moratorium on “No Parking” fines until the government develops designated parking areas and cargo loading zones.

Administrative Clarity: The unions want a circular on vehicle cleaners to be issued immediately and a plan to close the Border Checkpoints to be completed.

Regulatory Audit: Another important demand is the creation of a separate jurisdiction or special court that will handle transportation-related disputes in a fair and timely manner.

(With TOI entries)