Representational image of taxis outside Dadar station
| Photo Credit: Emmanual Yogini
The Maharashtra Transporters Action Committee (M-TAC) — a coalition representing truck, tempo, bus, taxi, and auto-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 a meeting on Sunday, threatens to paralyse both commercial and public transport across Maharashtra.
At the heart of the agitation is a slew of grievances, with the administration of e-challans emerging as the primary flashpoint. Malkit Singh Bal, a Mumbai-based logistics entrepreneur and former president of the All India Motor Transport Congress, articulated the sector’s demands, emphasising that the current system has become a tool of harassment rather than a mechanism for ensuring road safety.
‘Arbitrary fines must cease’
Mr. Bal, who was part of the high-level committee constituted to address these issues, expressed frustration over the government’s inaction. He stated that despite the panel submitting a comprehensive report with recommendations on December 17, not a single reform has been implemented.
Among the key demands put forth by M-TAC is the immediate withdrawal of the new e-challan rules issued by the Central government in January 2026. The transporters are also demanding the cancellation of all pending e-challans older than 90 days, arguing that the committee formed during their June 2025 agitation failed to deliver a concrete resolution. “The traffic police must focus on regulation and discipline, not on revenue collection,” Mr. Bal asserted, calling for an end to what they describe as forceful roadside recovery of fines.
The association is also seeking legal amendments to Sections 177 and 200(1) of the Motor Vehicles Act concerning compounding fees. They contend that, as per the Code of Criminal Procedure, all time-barred challans not produced before a court within the limitation period must be scrapped. A significant demand is to shift the liability for traffic offences from the vehicle owner to the specific driver, with violations being recorded directly on the driver’s licence.
Infrastructure and retrofitting woes
Beyond the e-challan system, the transporters have raised red flags over sudden and impractical “No Entry” restrictions. They have called for a consultative policy to replace what they term as arbitrary curbs that cause severe hardship to the movement of goods.
Further complicating matters are the repeated mandates for retrofitting of safety equipment. M-TAC has demanded a comprehensive review of requirements ranging from glass visibility norms and panic buttons to High-Security Registration Plates (HSRP) and various body codes. “No new retrofitment mandates should be imposed without a technical and impartial investigation into accidents,” Mr. Bal stated, voicing strong opposition to what they suspect are financial motives driving these safety implementations.
The committee has also underscored the glaring lack of basic infrastructure. Their demands include the immediate provision of authorised parking areas, dedicated loading and unloading zones, and proper rest facilities for drivers. They have also called for the abolition of State check posts and the resolution of fitness certificate hurdles until Automated Testing Centres are fully operational.
‘Treat us with dignity’
In a strongly worded statement, M-TAC lamented the “status and dignity” accorded to private transporters, who they argued are effectively public service vehicle operators. “It is deeply unfortunate that despite our vital contribution to the State’s economy and public mobility, we are not treated with due respect by the authorities,” Mr. Bal said. He demanded that the government adopt a constructive approach and engage with the sector with fairness and sensitivity.
Strike to proceed sans written assurance
While Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has indicated a positive outlook on addressing the concerns, M-TAC remains unconvinced by verbal promises. The committee has made it clear that the Statewide strike will be unavoidable unless an official Government Resolution (GR) is signed and delivered.
The agitation is poised to be a comprehensive shutdown, with the Mumbai School Bus Association joining the protest during the critical board examination period, putting students at the highest risk. The coalition also includes private tourist buses, tempos, taxis, and app-based cabs.
maharA meeting between M-TAC representatives, the Transport Commissioner, and senior officials proved futile, with no outcome emerging from the discussions. Although the government had earlier signalled potential concessions, including a “Cleaner Notification” slated for March 6 and a pending decision from the Chief Minister on closing border check posts, the lack of progress has left the deadlock unresolved. As a result, the State now braces for likely disruptions to the supply chain of essential goods, including milk and vegetables, as well as a complete halt to last-mile connectivity in major urban centres like Mumbai and Pune.
Published – March 05, 2026 06:47 am IST
