The strike by Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) employees has entered its second day, causing major disruptions in public transport services and affecting thousands of passengers, particularly as the Ganesh festival approaches.

Employees are demanding a salary increase and parity with state government employees. They are also calling for a pay scale adjustment to match their counterparts in the state sector. As a result of the strike, 63 out of 251 MSRTC bus depots have been completely shut, 73 are partially closed, and 115 remain operational.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is scheduled to meet with trade union leaders at the Sahyadri Guest House to discuss potential solutions. The strike has not only disrupted regular services but has also affected the special buses scheduled for the Ganesh festival, which starts on September 7. MSRTC had planned 5,000 extra festival buses, including 4,300 group bookings, to operate from September 3 to 7 from Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar. Over 1,000 buses were set to depart for Konkan on Wednesday alone.

An industrial court has declared the strike illegal and has ordered employees to return to work. MSRTC has directed local authorities to file FIRs against those blocking employees who wish to work and to video record such incidents. In response to the ongoing disruption, MSRTC is considering long-term staff appointments to maintain service continuity.

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