Transporters’ Bandh Hits Pune And JNPT, Demands Relief From E-Challan Penalties

Pimpri, Pune, July 4, 2025: The indefinite state-wide strike called by goods transporters has gained momentum as transporters protest against the alleged harassment caused by penalties imposed through the “E-challan” system. The agitation, which began voluntarily at midnight on Tuesday, has now seen 100% participation at Mumbai’s Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) and around 75% involvement from transporters in Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, and surrounding areas.

According to Dilip Deshmukh, President of the Association of Transporters, Pune, the organization is pursuing the matter with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik to issue a Government Resolution (GR) granting relief to goods transporters, similar to the one issued today for passenger bus operators.

On Thursday, the Association of Transporters, Pune, and the Pune Bus Passenger Transport Association, led by President Baba Shinde, held a meeting at Nigdi’s Transport Nagar to discuss the ongoing agitation. Following the meeting, transporters raised slogans against the E-challan system and registered their protest.

The meeting was attended by Gaurav Kadam (Working President), Anil Sharma (Working President), Sumit Dhumal (Vice President), Anuj Jain (Secretary), Vinod Jagjampi (Treasurer), Satnam Singh Pannu (Vice President), Tejas Dhere (Joint Treasurer), and core committee members Pramod Bhavsar, Subhash Sharma, Subhash Dhayal, along with representatives of various other transporter organizations.

Speaking on the occasion, Gaurav Kadam, Working President of the Association of Transporters, Pune, warned, “The government must take the demands of goods transporters regarding the E-challan system and other issues seriously and announce positive decisions, or else the intensity of the bandh will increase further.”

The statewide bandh has seen voluntary participation from all passenger and goods transporters in Pune city, Pimpri-Chinchwad, and Pune district, along with 30 prominent transporter organizations, including:

* Maharashtra State Truck Tempo Tankers Bus Transport Federation

* Maharashtra Tempo Welfare Association

* Maharashtra Heavy Vehicle and Interstate Container Operator Association

* Nhava Sheva Container Association

* Navi Mumbai Transport Association

* Thane District Truck Tempo Tankers Bus Transport Service Union

* Bombay Goods Transport Association

* Reefer Container Transporter Welfare Association

* Western India Bulk LPG Transporter Association

* Jai Bhagwan Transport Association

* All India Motor Congress

* Maharashtra Navnirman Transport Sena

* Maharashtra State Goods and Passenger Transport Association

* Maharashtra Truck Owners Association

* Mumbai Goods Tempo Federation

* Maharashtra Transport Sena

* Bus Owners Service Association (BOSS)

* Mumbai Bus Transport Federation

* Maharashtra State Motor Owners Association

* National Transport and Traffic Union

* Jai Sangharsh Vehicle Drivers Association

* Akhil Maharashtra State Motor Owners Association

* Matoshree Truck Tempo Driver-Owner Friends Circle

* Bhathbazar Transport Association

* Shiv Audumbar Transport Foundation

* Shiv Sai Friends Circle, Asalfa

* Mumbra Tempo Owners Association

* Vishwagati Motor Driver-Owner Transport Association

* Ulwe Transport Association/Shivneri Seva Bhavi Sanstha

* Nhava Sheva Dronagiri Transport Group

* Sakinaka Truck Tempo Association

Their participation has significantly intensified the impact of the bandh, said Vice President Sumit Dhumal and Secretary Anuj Jain.

The Maharashtra Transport Commissioner, Vivek Bhimanwar, issued an order after a meeting chaired by the Transport Minister, stating that vehicles with All India Tourist Permits should not face parking-related action while passengers are boarding or alighting from buses. Goods transporters are demanding similar relief from penalties under the E-challan system. As a result, the Pune Bus Passenger Transport Association has extended support to the ongoing bandh.