19 August,2026 08:08 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
MBMS listed 18 demands concerning the enforcement of e-challans and traffic regulations against passenger transporters. Representational Pic
Passenger bus operators across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) will stage a one-day hunger strike on Thursday to protest what they have termed the "unjust and unlawful" enforcement of the e-challan system by the Maharashtra Traffic Police and Transport Department.
The protest will be organised by the Mumbai Bus Malak Sanghatana (MBMS), along with other transporters' associations, from 11 am to 5 pm outside the offices of the District Collector, Mumbai Suburban District, and the Transport Commissioner, Maharashtra, in Bandra.
The association has also extended its support to a parallel hunger strike being led by Pradeep Rathod on behalf of the Transporters' Coordination Committee in Kolhapur.
In a press release issued on Wednesday, MBMS listed 18 demands concerning the enforcement of e-challans and traffic regulations against passenger transporters.
Among its key demands, the association has sought the immediate release of a report prepared by a government-appointed sub-committee following transporters' agitations in 2024-25.
It has also demanded a time-bound implementation of the recommendations.
Transporters have called for adequate parking facilities and designated pick-up and drop-off points instead of relying on e-challans to penalise vehicles for stopping or parking in areas without proper infrastructure.
MBMS has sought a clear policy under the relevant Section of the Motor Vehicles Act to hold Motor Vehicle Officers and Traffic Police accountable for alleged arbitrary enforcement or violations of existing court and departmental orders.
The association has also demanded an immediate end to the collection of penalties on the road and sought action against officials who allegedly violate the rules.
It has called for the cancellation of e-challans issued without adequate evidence, including those lacking photographs of the alleged violations, as well as challans pending for more than 90 days.
The association has demanded that the government conduct awareness campaigns before implementing new e-challan rules and ensure that the necessary infrastructure is available.
MBMS has also opposed the alleged use of traffic enforcement primarily as a revenue-generating mechanism and called for Traffic Police to focus on road safety, traffic management and discipline.
Other demands include ending the practice of marking vehicles as "NTBT" (Not To Be Transacted), holding drivers directly accountable for offences committed while driving, and ensuring that enforcement equipment such as speed cameras and speed guns have valid calibration and certification.
The transporters have further sought access to certification and calibration records and said challans issued using uncertified or expired equipment should be declared invalid.
MBMS has also demanded mandatory body-worn cameras for Traffic Police and Transport Department officials, citing an assurance reportedly made by the Chief Minister during the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly's Winter Session in December 2025.
The association said transporters were not opposed to complying with traffic laws but wanted enforcement to remain focused on road safety and public interest.
"E-challans should be for traffic safety, not for revenue collection," MBMS said, urging the state government to take an immediate decision on its demands.
The statement was signed by Mumbai Bus Malak Sanghatana president Harsh P Kotak and secretary KV Shetty.
