Bus Strike Triggers Travel Chaos Across Rajasthan, Festival Rush Adds To Woes

Last Updated:February 25, 2026, 17:25 IST

Bus operators are demanding the suspension of Regional Transport Office (RTO) officials Dharmendra Chaudhary and Inspector Rajesh Chaudhary, alleging harassment

A statewide bus strike by private operators in Rajasthan has severely disrupted travel, leaving thousands of passengers stranded ahead of the Holi festival. Nearly 30,000 private buses have remained off the roads for the past two days, creating heavy congestion at major bus terminals and long waiting times for travellers.

Members of the All Rajasthan Contract Carriage Bus Organisation, speaking at Sindhi Camp bus station in Jaipur, said repeated discussions with the state government have failed to resolve their grievances. Union representative Mahendra Jalwania said the bus operators had submitted their demands several times but had received neither a concrete solution nor any assurance from the authorities. A third round of talks with the government is expected soon.

The operators are demanding the suspension of Regional Transport Office (RTO) officials Dharmendra Chaudhary and Inspector Rajesh Chaudhary, alleging harassment. They have also sought a reduction in AIPP permit tax in Rajasthan on the lines of neighbouring states such as Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. In addition, the union has demanded that action under Section 153 of the Motor Vehicles Act be halted before they consider withdrawing the protest.

The strike has placed additional pressure on Rajasthan Roadways services, with only about 3,300 state-run buses currently operating against the usual combined fleet of nearly 35,000 private and government buses that carry an estimated 25 lakh passengers daily.

At major bus stations in Jaipur, including Sindhi Camp, Heerapura, Chaumu Circle and Transport Nagar, several travel agencies remained shut and only a few buses were seen operating. Many passengers were forced to wait for hours or search for alternative transport arrangements.

Private sleeper coaches, numbering around 15,000 and normally carrying nearly six lakh passengers daily, have remained off the roads, while about 20,000 local and stage carriage buses that typically transport around 12 lakh passengers have also been affected.

Passengers travelling to Khatushyamji and those returning to their hometowns for Holi have been among the worst hit. Routes connecting Bikaner, Hanumangarh, Sriganganagar, Hisar, Srimadhopur, Khetri, Sikar, Churu, Salasar, Jhunjhunu, Pilani, Ladnun, Sardarshahar, Sambhar, Phulera and Kuchaman have witnessed the most severe disruption.

Jalwania said that while the strike has caused inconvenience to the public, thousands of livelihoods linked to the transport sector, including hotels, tourism and small businesses, are also at risk. He added that operators consider the agitation their only option and expressed hope that the strike could end soon if the government accepts their demands.

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