After the last round of negotiations held at the Maharashtra Transport Commissioner's office on Wednesday evening remained inconclusive, the Maharashtra Transport Action Committee (M-TAC) said that it would go ahead with the strike. PIC/ Sayyed Sameer Abedi

According to M-TAC representatives, transporters will stage protests at Azad Maidan in Mumbai and outside the Regional Transport Office (RTO) premises in other parts of the state before going on strike from midnight. PIC/ Sayyed Sameer Abedi

M-TAC said school buses, contract carriage buses, private buses and commercial vehicles, including trucks, tempos, taxis and tankers, would remain off the roads during the indefinite agitation. PIC/ Sayyed Sameer Abedi

The transporters have also threatened to bring their vehicles to protest sites. PIC/ Sayyed Sameer Abedi

Earlier this week, Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik held a meeting with transporters at the MSRTC headquarters in Mumbai, but the Maharashtra Transporters Action Committee said the discussions were unsuccessful, alleging the government offered only “hollow assurances.” PIC/ Sayyed Sameer Abedi

Protesters are demonstrating against e-challans on Mumbai’s Eastern Express Highway. Earlier, Sarnaik urged transporters to call off their agitation, assuring them that the government is inclined to cancel “unjust” e-challans issued to parked vehicles. PIC VIA RAJENDRA B AKLEKAR

M-TAC said the agitation was being organised against what it termed "arbitrary and excessive" electronic traffic enforcement and the mounting financial burden on the transport sector. PIC VIA RAJENDRA B AKLEKAR

Earlier this year, M-TAC submitted a charter of demands to the government seeking major reforms in the e-challan system, including a waiver of pending fines and reductions in taxes and toll charges for commercial vehicles. PIC VIA RAJENDRA B AKLEKAR

M-TAC leaders claimed the e-challan system has caused hardship not only to transport operators but also to ordinary vehicle owners. PIC VIA RAJENDRA B AKLEKAR

The action committee has sought the withdrawal or relaxation of a proposed amendment to rules issued in January 2026, requiring transporters to clear e-challan penalties within 45 days, failing which they would face various restrictions tied to permit renewal, fitness certification and other regulatory approvals. PIC VIA RAJENDRA B AKLEKAR

"As per Rule 468 and amended Rule 514 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, all time-barred e-challans should be cancelled if cases are not filed in court," the charter of demands stated. PIC VIA RAJENDRA B AKLEKAR

M-TAC has also demanded the closure of highway check posts and the establishment of rest houses or centres for drivers. PIC VIA RAJENDRA B AKLEKAR

The transporters have further called for a review of the repeated retrofitting of devices such as panic buttons, vehicle location tracking devices, high-security registration plates, fire detection and suppression systems, and CCTV cameras, which they claim are mandated under the pretext of safety. PIC VIA RAJENDRA B AKLEKAR