Maharashtra Govt To Launch Statewide Crackdown On Illegal Transport From March 1
Maharashtra Govt To Launch Statewide Crackdown On Illegal Transport From March 1
Pune | February 28, 2026
The Maharashtra government will roll out a statewide enforcement campaign against illegal passenger transport services starting March 1, following growing concerns over unauthorised vehicles operating without mandatory approvals and safety clearances.
State Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has directed the Regional Transport Office to initiate strict action against vehicles running without valid permits, fitness certificates, insurance cover, and statutory authorisations. Officials said such незакон operations pose a serious risk to public safety and cause significant financial losses to the state exchequer and legitimate transport services.
The decision was taken during a high-level review meeting attended by Transport Commissioner Rajesh Narvekar and senior departmental officials. Sarnaik warned that the unchecked rise of illegal passenger transport has become a major safety challenge, with many vehicles operating beyond permitted capacity, skipping mandatory inspections, and ignoring basic safety norms.
He pointed out that in the absence of valid insurance, accident victims are often left without compensation, while vehicle owners and operators frequently evade responsibility, delaying justice for affected families.
The minister also highlighted the economic impact of illegal transport, stating that unauthorised services create unfair competition for lawful operators, including state-run bus services. Unregulated fare practices and route violations, he said, disrupt scheduled services and weaken the financial stability of authorised transport systems.
Beyond safety and economic concerns, Sarnaik flagged broader social risks, noting that the lack of passenger records in illegal vehicles can hamper investigations and may facilitate crimes such as trafficking, robbery and other unlawful activities.
He further linked illegal transport to wider road safety issues, including overspeeding, reckless driving, traffic violations, congestion and rising pollution levels. Stressing the need for long-term solutions, he called for continuous inspection drives, stronger enforcement mechanisms, large-scale public awareness campaigns, and the simplification and digitisation of licensing procedures to promote transparency and accessibility.
“Illegal passenger transport is not just a regulatory violation—it is a direct threat to public safety and social order,” Sarnaik said. “From March 1, a comprehensive statewide drive will be launched to identify and take strict action against unauthorised operators. At the same time, we will strengthen enforcement systems, improve transparency in licensing, and urge citizens to choose only authorised transport services. Public cooperation is essential to building a safe, reliable and lawful transport system for Maharashtra.”
