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604 Mumbai auto‑rickshaw and taxi drivers ordered to learn Marathi within a month
✍️ Mid-Day
🗓 21 Aug 2026, 07:34 AM
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The Maharashtra transport authority has served notices to 604 auto‑rickshaw and taxi operators in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, mandating them to acquire basic Marathi proficiency within 30 days.
The transport department of Maharashtra issued formal notices to 604 auto‑rickshaw and taxi drivers operating in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). The notices require each driver to attain a functional level of Marathi, the state’s official language, within a period of one month.
According to the directive, drivers must attend language classes approved by the department or demonstrate equivalent proficiency through a short assessment. Failure to comply could result in penalties, including suspension of the vehicle’s permit.
The move aims to improve communication between drivers and passengers, especially senior citizens and women who often prefer speaking Marathi. Officials said the policy aligns with broader efforts to promote the regional language in public services.
Transport officials have not disclosed the exact number of drivers who have already complied, but they indicated that monitoring will begin immediately after the deadline.
The notice has drawn mixed reactions; while some driver unions expressed concerns over the short timeframe, the department maintains that the requirement is essential for better service delivery in Maharashtra’s capital.
According to the directive, drivers must attend language classes approved by the department or demonstrate equivalent proficiency through a short assessment. Failure to comply could result in penalties, including suspension of the vehicle’s permit.
The move aims to improve communication between drivers and passengers, especially senior citizens and women who often prefer speaking Marathi. Officials said the policy aligns with broader efforts to promote the regional language in public services.
Transport officials have not disclosed the exact number of drivers who have already complied, but they indicated that monitoring will begin immediately after the deadline.
The notice has drawn mixed reactions; while some driver unions expressed concerns over the short timeframe, the department maintains that the requirement is essential for better service delivery in Maharashtra’s capital.