Bus owners across Madhya Pradesh are angry. They say the state government has introduced a new policy for running stage carriage buses that threatens their livelihood. If the government does not back down, 300 buses in Ratlam district alone will stop on March 2, 2026.
Here is everything you need to know.
What Is Happening
The Ratlam District Bus Operators Association has called an indefinite strike starting March 2, 2026. Bus owners say the new stage carriage policy is oppressive and will make it impossible for them to run their buses profitably.
On Tuesday, association office-bearers visited the Ratlam Collectorate and submitted a memorandum to Deputy Collector Radha Mahant, formally putting the government on notice.
What Is the Policy
The Madhya Pradesh government published a new transport policy through gazette amendments on December 24, 2025, and January 29, 2026.
Under the new policy, the state has been divided intoย seven zones. The government has handed over bus operating rights in each zone to seven companies. Private bus owners who want to continue running their buses will have to take licences from these companies, lease routes from them, and work under their direct control.
Bus owners say this effectively ends their independent businesses.
According to Association Secretary Ashutosh Pancholi, the new policy strips bus owners of their permits entirely. He explained that the government companies running these zones will claimย 10% of revenueย despite owning no buses and employing no staff of their own.
Bus owners will bear all monthly operating expenses, fuel, insurance, maintenance, and staff salaries, under six-month contracts, with no security beyond that period.
The policy also brings aย tax hike from 12% to 18%ย on bus operations, adding further financial pressure on owners already dealing with rising diesel, insurance, and permit costs.
Passenger fares are also set to increase under the new policy, fromย Rs 1.25 to Rs 1.75 per kilometre.
Why Are Bus Owners Angry
Bus owners say they have raised their concerns with the government multiple times. Nobody listened.
District President Subendra Singh Gurjar said, “All bus owners in the state are hurt because of the new oppressive policy being brought for the operation of stage carriage buses. If our demands are not met, all bus traders will go on an indefinite strike from March 2.”
He added, “No one is paying attention. No solution has been found. Because of this, we are forced to stop the wheels of the buses.”
The decision to strike was taken at a state-level meeting held in Sagar on February 22, 2026, attended by bus owners and key functionaries from across Madhya Pradesh.
Four Key Demands
| Demand | Details |
|---|---|
| Gazette amendment, December 24, 2025 | Must be fully withdrawn |
| Gazette amendment, January 29, 2026 | Must be completely abolished |
| Current operating structure | Must be maintained as it is |
| Tax rollback | Reduce tax from 18% back to 12% |
How the Strike Decision Was Taken
Bus operators from across the state, including Ratlam, gathered in Sagar on February 22. After deliberations, they unanimously decided to go on strike if the government did not withdraw the new policy before March 2. The Ratlam association then submitted the memorandum to local authorities the same week to formally register their protest.
How It Will Affect You
If the strike goes ahead, around 300 buses in Ratlam district will stop. Routes connecting Ratlam city to Indore, Ujjain, Banswara, and Dhar will be hit. Around 300 rural settlements inside Ratlam district that depend entirely on these buses will be cut off.
Daily commuters, students, and rural passengers will face the most disruption.
What Happens Next
The government has not responded publicly to the demands yet. Bus owners have made it clear that March 2 is their deadline. If no solution is reached before that date, the wheels stop.
Passengers are advised to plan their travel accordingly.
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