Pune News: Over 30 Transport Unions In Maharashtra to Launch Indefinite Strike From July 1 Midnight Against E-Challan System
Pune News: Over 30 Transport Unions In Maharashtra to Launch Indefinite Strike From July 1 Midnight Against E-Challan System
Renuka Suryavanshi
Pimpri, Pune | June 30, 2025:
Transport operators across Maharashtra will begin an indefinite strike from midnight of Tuesday, July 1, protesting against the government’s e-challan system, which they claim is unfair and exploitative. Over 30 transport associations are expected to participate voluntarily in the state-wide “chakka jam” (transport halt) agitation.
The announcement was made by Dilip Deshmukh, President of the Association of Transporters, Pune, at a press conference held in Pimpri. Deshmukh said the strike is being launched to draw attention to various issues affecting passenger and goods transporters, particularly the “e-challan mechanism,” which he called a threat to the transport industry’s survival.
Gaurav Kadam, Working President of the association, added that the system leads to heavy penalties and harassment. Despite repeated appeals to the state government, no action has been taken. He called for cancellation of unjust fines, ending the compulsion to keep a cleaner on board, and revoking city traffic timing restrictions, which increase fuel consumption and reduce profits.
A sit-in protest has already been ongoing since June 16 at Azad Maidan in Mumbai under the banner of the Transporters’ Action Committee. Now, the indefinite strike will extend across Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, and the entire state.
Anil Sharma, another senior member, urged Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to intervene immediately, warning that if no resolution is found, major transport bodies—including truck, tempo, tanker, and bus associations from Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, and Nhava Sheva—will fully join the protest. Sharma said any inconvenience caused to the public will be the responsibility of the government.
Treasurer Vinod Jagjampi raised concerns about the misuse of e-challan devices by unauthorized personnel, including traffic wardens and private individuals. He proposed that all challans include photos of both the officer and vehicle owner, provision for digital signatures, and written copies of challans. He also called for a GPS-based system to prevent unjust fines and a cap on penalties that should not exceed the value of the vehicle.
The association also demanded the revival of schemes like Abhay Yojana and Lok Adalat, the waiving of penalties for cases before 2023, a unified challan payment portal across the state, and inclusion of transporters in road safety committees at district and state levels, as mandated by the Motor Vehicles Act.
The unions maintain that unless these concerns are addressed, their strike will continue indefinitely.
