35,000 buses will stop operating in Rajasthan from tonight

February 23, 2026

Jaipur: Approximately 35,000 private buses will be stopped in Rajasthan from 12 midnight tonight. Bus operators allege that the RTO is suspending registration certificates (RCs) and issuing fines worth lakhs of rupees. The strike decision was taken at a meeting in Jaipur to protest this.

No buses for PM’s Ajmer rally

Buses will not be provided for Narendra Modi’s proposed rally in Ajmer on February 28th. Rajendra Sharma, president of the Rajasthan Contract Carriage Bus Operators Association, stated that state carriage, contract carriage, and public transport buses will participate in the strike. Taxi operators have also expressed support.

Support from other states

Bus operators from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Haryana have also announced a suspension of operations in support of Rajasthan. It is claimed that this strike could affect approximately 1.5 million passengers.

Controversy over Section 153 and Luggage Carriers

Operators say they are being fined heavily under Section 153 of the Motor Vehicles Act, which was added in 2025. They argue that applying this rule to older buses is wrong.

There is also dissatisfaction with the ban on installing luggage carriers on buses and taxis. Rooftop luggage storage facilities are being cited as essential for rural and long-distance travelers.

Operators have warned that if a solution is not reached through talks with the government, the agitation will continue.