10 August,2026 08:16 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Bal Malkit Singh, Advisor and Former President of the All India Motor Transport Congress. Pic/ X
A recent incident on the Mumbai-bound Samruddhi Expressway, in which a trailer driver allegedly blocked highway lanes following enforcement action, has triggered fresh concerns over simmering resentment within Maharashtra's driver community, with a top transport leader warning the state government not to let the situation escalate.
Bal Malkit Singh, Advisor and Former President of the All India Motor Transport Congress, said the incident should not be dismissed as a mere law-and-order issue but read as an early warning of mounting frustration among truck drivers and transport operators.
While clarifying that blocking an expressway or obstructing authorities cannot be justified, Singh urged the government to examine what pushed the driver to take such a drastic step and why other drivers reportedly rallied behind him.
"This is a warning signal. Please don't wait for another 2023," Singh said.
He noted that the transport fraternity has repeatedly flagged concerns to the Maharashtra government, most recently through representations submitted on June 1 and July 17, covering enforcement practices, e-challans, vehicle breakdowns, parking shortages, and highway safety.
Singh questioned why authorities continue to rely on manual enforcement despite the availability of surveillance technology, and called for a clearer distinction between deliberate violations and genuine emergencies like tyre bursts or mechanical failures.
"A driver who stops a heavy vehicle because of a mechanical emergency is trying to prevent an accident, not violate the law," he said, adding that enforcement must be "firm, but also fair, proportionate and humane."
Singh drew a direct parallel to the 2023 nationwide truck drivers' agitation over hit-and-run law provisions, when unresolved concerns eventually spilt onto highways with vehicles abandoned and parked in protest. That crisis, he said, was resolved only after intervention from the Union Home Ministry and written assurances to transport representatives.
"It took considerable effort and several days to restore normalcy. We do not want Maharashtra to face a similar situation. That is why we are raising the alarm today, while there is still time for dialogue and corrective action," Singh said.
According to Singh, several unresolved issues continue to fuel frustration in the industry:
Adding to the pressure, Singh pointed to steadily rising costs- diesel, tyres, insurance, maintenance, tolls, and spare parts- that haven't been matched by a proportional rise in freight rates.
"The transport industry is the backbone of the economy, and truck drivers are the people who keep Maharashtra and the country moving. They cannot be treated only as violators and revenue sources. Their genuine difficulties must be heard and addressed," he said.
Singh has appealed to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the Home portfolio, to personally intervene and order a detailed probe into the Samruddhi incident. He has also requested a meeting with the Chief Minister alongside transport industry representatives to present their concerns and propose solutions.
"Our objective is not confrontation. We want dialogue, solutions and a safe operating environment for our drivers and transporters. We are cautioning the government today because we do not want to see a repetition of the 2023 situation. Timely positive action can prevent a much larger crisis," Singh said.
