Sleeper Bus Strike in Rajasthan triggers mass disruption as 7,000 private sleeper buses block roads-

Jaipur, Oct.31,2025:Sleeper Bus Strike in Rajasthan began on the night of October 31, 2025, when private sleeper bus operators caused a state-wide blockade, immobilizing over 7,000 buses and thrusting millions of passengers into turmoil. The dramatic move is a protest against what operators call “excessive and unilateral” enforcement by the transport department and RTO authorities-

The strike’s timing and scale make it among the most disruptive transport protests seen in the state. Operators warn that unless their demands are met, the agitation could escalate from 7,000 buses to more than 20,000 private vehicles being taken off the roads from November 2.

Jaisalmer Fire & Government Crackdown

The immediate precursor to the strike was the horrific Jaisalmer sleeper bus fire on October 14, in which 26 people lost their lives. Investigations revealed multiple safety violations—among them, faulty wiring, a jammed emergency exit, modifications to the bus body, and noncompliance with mandated safety norms.

In response, the Rajasthan government initiated a crackdown: RTOs were ordered to suspend registration certificates (RCs) of private buses in violation of the Bus Body Code. Restoration of RCs would be allowed only after physical inspection and compliance verification.

Many operators argue these measures were sudden and didn’t allow time for them to make necessary alterations. They accuse authorities of targeting private operators while exempting state-run buses from similar scrutiny.

The Strike Unfolds Across Rajasthan

From midnight October 31, the strike officially began-a

• In nearly all districts, sleeper buses were pulled off roads. Only Jaipur has held off so far.
• Operators claim 8,000 sleeper coaches will halt service for at least two days initially.
• After observing the government’s response, the association warns that starting November 2, more than 20,000 private buses across different categories may cease operations.
• Online bookings for bus travel have been suspended in Jodhpur, Udaipur, Kota, and other major cities.
• Travel agencies, caught off guard, are scrambling to inform stranded customers and adjust plans.

The strike’s approach is staged—first sleeper buses, then potentially seater, school, rural, state carriage, and local transport vehicles if demands aren’t met.

Still Out of Strike… For Now

Interestingly, Jaipur’s sleeper buses have not yet joined the strike. Nearly 1,000 buses continue operations in the capital.

The All Rajasthan Contact Carriage Bus Operators Association plans a meeting today in Jaipur to decide whether Jaipur operators will join the strike or stay out.

According to association president Rajendra Sharma, operators are demanding a 3-month grace period to carry out necessary modifications and compliance.

Operators’ Demands vs. Government Stance

Operators’ Core Demands

1. Three months for compliance: Time to retrofit buses, address safety deficiencies, and secure required permissions.
2. Uniform enforcement: They demand that government buses be held to the same standards and penalties. Why should private buses alone be penalized?
3. Reconsideration of punitive measures: Suspension or seizure of buses should not be abrupt but should follow due notice and inspection.
4. Fair tax policy: Operators argue that state registration tax on sleeper buses in Rajasthan (₹30,000–₹40,000 per bus) is excessive, compared to ₹7,000–₹15,000 in neighbouring states.
5. Issuance of intra-state permits: Some operators suggest giving permits for buses operating between cities (stage carriage) to ease legal operation.

Government Response & Position

• Officials insist that passenger safety is non-negotiable and that stricter enforcement is necessary, especially after the Jaisalmer tragedy.
• The October 29 transport department directive mandates immediate suspension of RCs for violations and ties accountability to RTOs.
• In recent meetings, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma declared there would be no relaxation: only those operators who rectify violations will be allowed to resume service.
• The government is also deploying extra RSRTC buses to fill the gap during the strike.

Thus, the standoff is stark: operators say they need breathing space to adapt; government says safety has no delay.

Millions Stranded

The consequences for travellers have been swift and severe-

• Many preliminary estimates place the number of affected passengers at 3 to 4 lakhs per day across Rajasthan.
• Particularly impacted are long-distance travellers to Delhi, Gujarat, Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh, for whom sleeper buses had been a major transport option.
• Travelers are being forced to scramble for alternatives—trains, private taxis, or cancelled journeys entirely.
• Several service routes are now non-operational, and ticket bookings have been suspended.
• Some operators are issuing refunds; others warn of uncertainty regarding rescheduled operations.
• The transportation burden may shift to railways, which are already under significant demand.

In short: the strike, though targeted, has sparked widespread disruption.

Roadways, Seater, Rural Buses – What’s Next

The strike is designed with escalation in mind. If demands are unmet-

• From November 2, more than 20,000 private buses (including rural, seater, state carriage, local, school transport) could go off the road.
• Operators say the blackout would include grameen service buses, school buses, suburban buses, and state carriages.
• The potential shutdown of school buses or rural services could compound public distress and bring more political heat.

Government is reportedly evaluating temporary deployments of government-run buses, but officials claim their fleet and resources may not fully fill the gap.

 Political Fallout & State Revenue Impacts

Political Tension

• The strike puts the Bhajan Lal Sharma administration in a tight spot: enforcing safety is laudable, but disrupting mass travel amid holiday season exposes political costs.
• Opposition voices are likely to criticize both sides—either the heavy-handedness of the government or the disruptive tactics of operators.
• The strike’s scale could become a rallying point for larger discussions on infrastructure, safety, and regulatory fairness.

Financial Consequences

• State revenues from private bus registrations and permits may be impacted, especially if many operators pull services or refuse compliance.
• Meanwhile, demands for lower registration tax (₹30–₹40k per sleeper bus) expose a potential policy revision. Operators argue that high taxes force them to register buses in other states, weakening Rajasthan’s tax base.
• The government may have to absorb the cost of compensatory measures—deploying additional RSRTC buses, managing stranded passengers, etc.
• The cost of repair, retrofitting, and compliance for the bus operators themselves is also non-trivial.

Thus the strike is a high-stakes confrontation with fiscal, political, and logistical underpinnings.

 Possible Resolutions & Timeline

Short-Term (Next 48–72 hours)

• Jaipur bus operators’ meeting today might either bring Jaipur into the strike or de-escalate tensions locally.
• Government may issue a revised directive offering limited grace or phased compliance to calm operators.
• Emergency services and alternate transport will try to fill gaps, especially on critical interstate routes.

Mid-Term (Within 1–2 Weeks)

• Negotiation tables may open between state transport authorities and bus associations.
• Authorities may allow conditional resumption for operators who show intention and progress to comply.
• The state could propose incentive or subsidy schemes to help operators upgrade safety features.

Long-Term (1–3 Months)

• A timeline for full compliance with Bus Body Code and safety norms may be formalized.
• Reformed tax policies or permit rules might be introduced to address operator complaints (especially registration tax and intra-state permit expansion).
• Regular safety audits, RTO accountability, and transparent enforcement systems may be institutionalized to avoid further disruption.

Success depends on political will, the operators’ resolve, and ability to manage passenger hardship.

Sleeper Bus Strike in Rajasthan marks a dramatic clash between private transport operators and state authorities over safety, regulation, and fairness. What started as a protest by sleeper-bus operators has the potential to cascade into a complete private bus shutdown, upending travel for millions.

The road ahead hinges on whether the government offers flexibility, and whether operators are willing to comply. Meanwhile, passengers remain caught in the crossfire—stranded, anxious, and seeking alternatives.