19 February,2026 08:30 AM IST | Mumbai | Aditi Alurkar
Members of the Maharashtra Transport Action Committee. Pic/By Special Arrangement
Transporters across the state have warned of an indefinite strike from March 5 if the state government fails to address their demands in a week. The call has been given by the Maharashtra Transport Action Committee, representing truck, tempo, bus, and school bus operators. The Mumbai School Bus Association has also joined the agitation, raising concerns during state board and CBSE examinations.
A major flashpoint remains the implementation of e-challans, which transporters allege are being issued without due process. Operators claim penalties are imposed without real-time alerts or clear photographic evidence. Concerns have also been raised over mandatory vehicle retro-fitments such as CCTVs and panic buttons, with stakeholders demanding technical scrutiny before enforcement. School bus operators have sought designated halting zones near schools, while goods transporters have pressed for marked loading and unloading areas.
>> The protest is to be held from March 5
>> Seven-day deadline issued to state government
>> Covers trucks, tempos, buses, and school buses
>> Statewide participation expected
>> Mumbai School Bus Association joins the protest
>> State board exams underway
>> CBSE examinations ongoing
>> Potential disruption to student transport
>> No real-time challan alerts to drivers
>> Penalties issued without clear evidence
>> Unclear or blurred photographic proof
>> CCTVs and panic buttons
>> Demand for technical evaluation
>> A similar strike was withdrawn in July last year
>> The government promised the formation of a task force
>> None of the demands have been met, according to Shahid Shaikh of the Mumbai Bus Malak Sanghatana
>> Schools are yet to be formally informed
>> Designated halting spots near schools
>> Separate loading-unloading zones for goods vehicles
>> Review of sudden no-entry and no-parking rules
