A united front of Maharashtra’s transport unions has now splintered into factions, as school and private bus operators pulled back from a statewide indefinite strike that began midnight Wednesday, while goods transporters continue full-scale agitation. The protest, initially announced jointly by all, was aimed at pressing several long-standing demands, including the withdrawal of e-challans and the resolution of operational bottlenecks, among other demands.

The intervention by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik led to a shift, with school bus operators in Mumbai calling off their strike and private bus associations opting for a symbolic protest by operating with black bands until July 6, before resuming their strike on July 7.

Goods transporters stick to July 2 shutdown call. Pic/Ashish Raje