On Tuesday, Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced that all licensed auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers in the state must know Marathi from May 1. Coinciding with Maharashtra Day, the Motor Transport Department will run a campaign across its 59 offices to check compliance. Here’s all you need to know about this.
Marathi To Be Mandatory For Auto & Cab Drivers In Maharashtra
According to Hindustan Times, the state Transport Minister said Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) will launch a statewide verification drive this week to ensure auto and cab drivers know Marathi. The drive will be conducted across its 59 regional and sub-regional offices. Drivers and permit holders must be able to read, write, and speak the language; failing which, their licences and permits may be cancelled.
It is worth noting that Mumbai has over 2.8 lakh auto-rickshaws and 20,000 taxi permit holders, employing around 5 lakh drivers. Of these, nearly 70% are from North India and are not proficient in Marathi. Deccan Chronicle reported that officials said this move simply reinforces an existing requirement mandating a working knowledge of the language in the state.
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Licences & Permits At Risk For Non-Compliance
Several reports suggest the move follows complaints received by the Maharashtra Transport Department that many drivers are unable or unwilling to speak Marathi with passengers. Most of these complaints came from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and Nagpur.
According to The Hindu, authorities will assess whether drivers can read Marathi signboards or documents, write basic sentences, and hold simple conversations in the language. The rule mandating basic Marathi proficiency for auto and cab drivers in Maharashtra will come into effect from May 1, 2026. Drivers who fail to comply may lose their licences and permits.
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Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/Abhyuday Majhi (representative image)
FAQs
Is it mandatory for auto and cab drivers in Maharashtra to know Marathi?
From May 1, 2026, it will become mandatory for all auto and cab drivers in the state to know basic Marathi.
Why did Maharashtra make Marathi mandatory for auto and cab drivers?
This move comes after the state Transport Department received many complaints that many drivers are unable or unwilling to speak Marathi with passengers.
Are auto and cab services easily available in Maharashtra?
Yes, autorickshaws and cab services are widely available across Maharashtra, especially in Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur.