Transporters across Maharashtra have announced a statewide “chakka jam” protest against the electronic traffic penalty system and other issues affecting the transport sector, with an indefinite strike set to begin from Thursday midnight, reported news agency PTI.
The agitation has been called by the Maharashtra Transport Action Committee (M-TAC) after the latest round of negotiations with government officials failed to produce a resolution. Representatives of the committee said discussions held at the office of the Maharashtra Transport Commissioner’s Office on Wednesday evening ended without any concrete agreement.
Protests planned at Azad Maidan and RTO offices
Transporters said demonstrations will be held across the state before the strike begins. In Mumbai, protestors plan to gather at Azad Maidan, while similar demonstrations will be organised outside Regional Transport Office (RTO) premises in other districts, reported PTI.
M-TAC representatives said transport operators would assemble with their vehicles at designated protest locations to highlight their grievances. The committee warned that the agitation could disrupt transport services across the state if their demands are not addressed.
Commercial vehicles and buses to remain off roads
The action committee said the strike would involve a large section of the transport sector, including school buses, contract carriage buses, private buses and commercial vehicles such as trucks, tempos, taxis and tankers.
If the strike continues, the impact could be felt across logistics, passenger transport and goods movement in Maharashtra.
Anil Garg, a representative of the School Bus Owners Association, said earlier that school bus services would continue on Thursday but could be suspended from Friday if the indefinite strike goes ahead, reported PTI.
Government talks fail to resolve dispute
Earlier this week, Pratap Sarnaik held discussions with representatives of transport organisations at the headquarters of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), reported PTI.
However, M-TAC leaders said the talks failed to yield any meaningful outcome, alleging that the government offered only “hollow assurances” rather than concrete solutions, reported PTI.
Sarnaik had appealed to transporters to withdraw their agitation, stating that the government was considering cancelling what he described as “unjust” e-challans issued to vehicles that were parked. He assured the delegation that the government would take a favourable decision on the matter, reported PTI.
Transporters protest ‘arbitrary’ e-challan system
Transport unions claim that the current electronic traffic enforcement system has imposed an excessive financial burden on the transport industry.
The charter of demands submitted by the committee calls for major reforms in the e-challan system, including the waiver of pending penalties and a reduction in taxes and toll charges imposed on commercial vehicles.
Transporters have also expressed concern over a proposed amendment to traffic enforcement rules issued in January 2026. Under the new provision, operators are required to clear e-challan penalties within 45 days, failing which they may face restrictions related to permit renewals, vehicle fitness certificates and other regulatory approvals.
Demand for cancellation of time-barred e-challans
According to the committee, many e-challans remain pending even when cases are not pursued in court. Transporters have cited provisions under Code of Criminal Procedure to argue that time-barred cases should be cancelled, reported PTI.
“As per Rule 468 and amended Rule 514 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, all time-barred e-challans should be cancelled if cases are not filed in court,” the charter of demands states, reported PTI.
Additional demands include driver facilities and infrastructure
In addition to changes in the penalty system, transporters have also demanded the closure of highway check posts and the creation of dedicated facilities for drivers, including rest houses, parking spaces and emergency services along major highways.
The committee has also sought the provision of fire tenders and emergency support services on highways, as well as designated areas for cargo loading and unloading, reported PTI.
Transporters have further asked the government to review requirements mandating repeated retrofitting of devices such as panic buttons, vehicle tracking systems, high-security registration plates, fire detection systems and CCTV cameras, which they say increase operational costs, reported PTI.
They have also urged the government to reconsider “no entry” restrictions imposed in many cities, arguing that abrupt traffic rules make operations difficult and affect the efficiency of goods movement across the state.
(With inputs from PTI)
