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

In Maharashtra, transporters across the state have announced an indefinite strike of trucks, autos, tempos, school buses, taxis, private cabs and autorickshaws from Thursday midnight. The transport unions across the state announced the strike on Tuesday after talks with Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik failed to yield a satisfactory response on their grievances over e-challans, taxation, and toll collections, among others. The protest will be held at Azad Maidan in Mumbai.

Is there a transport strike today?

Yes, there is a transport strike in Maharashtra from Thursday midnight. The agitation is not limited to heavy trucks; it encompasses a broad coalition of school buses, private tourist buses, tempos, taxis, and autorickshaws, signalling a total shutdown of the state's transport machinery.

Maharashtra Transport Strike: What services will be impacted?

-School buses will operate on Thursday morning but will stay off the roads from Friday, warned Anil Garg of the School Bus Owners Association, according to a report in The Times of India.


-Taxi union leader D A Salian said several cab drivers will also join the protest, expressing frustration over the e-challan system, under which fines are often unjustified and sometimes exceed a driver’s daily earnings. Mumbai Rickshawmen’s Union leader Thampy Kurien added that auto-rickshaw drivers in the suburbs will also participate in the strike.

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-Trucks, tempos, tourist and school buses, taxis, private cabs and autorickshaws are expected to join the protest.

-Taxi and auto unions have also expressed support for the protest. Taxi union leader D A Salian said many cab drivers will join the strike because they feel the fines under the e-challan system are unfair.

School and college students are likely to be among the worst affected, as the Mumbai School Bus Association has joined the protest during the crucial board examination period. Apart from education, the supply chain of essential goods such as vegetables, milk and fuel is also expected to face major disruptions within the next 48 to 72 hours.

-Commuters who depend on app-based cabs and autorickshaws may encounter steep surge pricing or even a complete lack of availability, potentially bringing last-mile connectivity in cities like Mumbai and Pune to a halt.

Maharashtra Strike Today Reason

Transporters across Maharashtra announced an indefinite strike from Thursday midnight over alleged misuse of the e-challan system and unfair penalties. Malik Patel of the Maharashtra Transport Action Committee tols TOI they will "go ahead with the indefinite protest" as talks with the transport commissioner Rajesh Narvekar on Wednesday evening failed.

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Patel told TOI the movement of trucks, buses and taxis may be partially hit from Thursday morning. "At noon on Thursday, transporters will all gather at Azad Maidan to protest. Vehicles will also start coming to the maidan. Till Thursday evening, if no decision is taken by the government, we will observe an indefinite chakka jam across the state," said Bal Malkit Singh from the transporters' association.

E-Challan Reform: Transporters have demanded the cancellation of “unjust” and time-barred e-challans and the scrapping of the rule that requires a 50% deposit to pursue court hearings.

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

Administrative Clarity: The unions want the immediate issuance of a notification regarding vehicle cleaners and the finalisation of the plan to close Border Check Posts.

Legislative Oversight: Another key demand is the creation of a separate judiciary or a dedicated tribunal to handle transport-related disputes in a fair and timely manner.

(With TOI inputs)