Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Mar 3: The Maharashtra Transporters Action Committee (M-TAC), representing truckers, private bus operators, taxi and autorickshaw unions, on Monday reiterated its call for an indefinite statewide agitation from March 5, warning that commercial transport services across the state would come to a standstill.

M-TAC leaders said school buses, contract carriage buses, private buses and commercial vehicles — including trucks, tempos, taxis and tankers — would remain off the roads during the protest.

The announcement followed a meeting convened by Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik at the Mumbai Central headquarters of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC). Transport Commissioner Rajesh Narvekar and senior police officials were also present.

Addressing the media after the meeting, Sarnaik urged transporters to withdraw the agitation, stating that the government was positive about cancelling “unjust” e-challans issued to parked vehicles and would take a favourable decision.

“The sentiments of transporters regarding e-challans are very strong. There have been complaints that e-challans are being issued arbitrarily to vehicles parked in lots and, in some cases, by staff without proper authorisation. This is unjust. Strict instructions have been issued that only authorised officers should initiate e-challan action,” he said.

He added that a joint meeting of the transport department, police administration and union representatives has been convened on March 5 to address grievances. The minister also said the government was open to reviewing and cancelling previously issued unjust e-challans and appealed to unions to suspend the strike until then.

However, M-TAC leaders said they were not satisfied with what they termed “hollow assurances” and confirmed that the indefinite agitation would go ahead as planned.

M-TAC leader Harsh Kotak said nearly one lakh transporters from across Maharashtra would gather at Azad Maidan in Mumbai with their vehicles and begin the agitation from midnight on March 5 if the government fails to take a concrete decision.

Describing the protest as a “jan andolan” (people’s movement), the committee claimed the existing e-challan system has imposed an “arbitrary and excessive” financial burden not only on transport operators but also on ordinary vehicle owners.

Baba Shinde, a transporters’ leader from Pune, expressed regret over the inconvenience likely to be caused to students during the ongoing examination period due to the suspension of school bus services.

In its charter of demands submitted earlier this year, M-TAC has sought major reforms in the e-challan system, waiver of pending fines and reduction in taxes and toll charges on commercial vehicles.

The committee has also demanded cancellation of time-barred e-challans under relevant provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, closure of highway check posts, establishment of rest centres for drivers, improved emergency services on highways and provision of adequate parking lots and loading-unloading facilities.

Additionally, transporters have called for a review of mandatory retrofitting of safety devices such as panic buttons, vehicle tracking systems, high-security registration plates and fire detection systems, arguing that repeated compliance requirements have become financially unviable.

They have further opposed abrupt “no entry” restrictions and urged the government to adopt a consultative approach. The action committee has also sought withdrawal or relaxation of a proposed January 2026 amendment mandating clearance of e-challan penalties within 45 days, failing which transporters could face restrictions on permit renewals, fitness certificates and other regulatory approvals.