Truckers in Maharashtra are set to begin an indefinite strike starting midnight on July 1, 2025, to protest the "unjust" collection of fines through the electronic challan (e-challan) system. The strike call has been given by the Vahatukdar Bachao Kruti Samiti, an action committee uniting numerous transport unions. This action is expected to significantly disrupt passenger services and the supply chain due to the halting of freight vehicle operations.
The primary grievance of the transporters is the hefty fines imposed through the e-challan system. They allege that the police and transport departments are levying excessive fines without proper notice, often amounting to thousands of rupees, which places a significant financial strain on vehicle owners. Transporters also claim that authorities dismiss older challans without review and directly block them from bank accounts or vehicle Registration Certificates (RC). Cities such as Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, and Aurangabad are reportedly experiencing the most severe difficulties. Many vehicle owners are facing process incompletion when trying to pay taxes or update vehicle documents due to the backlog of e-challans.
Beyond the e-challan issue, the strike encompasses several other long-standing demands. These include stopping the forceful collection of e-challan fines, waiving existing penalties, canceling the mandatory cleaner rule for heavy vehicles, and reconsidering no-entry timings for such vehicles in metro cities. Subhash Jadhav, president of the Kolhapur District Lorry Association, has demanded that older, operational speed limit devices (SLDs) be allowed to continue. The Regional Transport Office (RTO) has been denying annual fitness clearances to vehicles lacking the new, standardized 16-digit alphanumeric code for SLDs, even though SLDs have been mandatory since 2015.
The Mumbai Bus Malak Sanghatana (MBMS), a body representing bus operators, has stated that various transport associations across Maharashtra are supporting the strike. They warn of potential disruptions to passenger and goods transportation if their concerns remain unaddressed. The strike's impact is likely to be most felt by ordinary passengers, especially those relying on private buses for commuting in major cities like Mumbai, Pune, and Nashik, as well as in rural areas where private buses are the primary transportation mode. The strike by freight trucks could also disrupt the supply of perishable goods, potentially leading to price increases for essential commodities.
In response to the impending strike, Maharashtra Minister Pratap Sarnaik has stated the government's commitment to addressing the transport operators' grievances. He has directed officials to form a committee and submit a report within one month regarding the transporters' concerns. Sarnaik has also emphasized that reforms in the e-challan system should encourage compliance without imposing arbitrary or harsh conditions. He added that multiple challans for the same offense on the same day should be avoided and that each e-challan should have a defined validity period. However, the Vahatukdar Bachao Kruti Samiti remains unsatisfied with these measures and is determined to proceed with the strike.
All eyes are on the Maharashtra government to find a resolution before the July 1st deadline. While Transport Minister Uday Samant has indicated a meeting, the date and agenda remain unconfirmed, leaving transporters feeling that the government is not taking their concerns seriously.
