City buses and taxis were off the road while the state government pushed around 50 government buses including the Mizoram State Transport (MST) buses to ply in the city during the strike which would continue till Friday evening.
Meanwhile, association of taxi owners and drivers said that they would join the stir for only on the first day and would continue service from Thursday.
"We could not continue the strike as it is our most profitable season," the taxi owners said, adding that organising a strike during Christmas season did not suit their business.
State transport minister John Rotluangliana warned that licences and permits of commercial vehicles would be cancelled if they continue with the stir.
The striking commercial vehicle owners demanded cancellation of new city bus permits issued by the state government and also seek permission to replace old buses.