Mumbai: In a significant move that will impact thousands of public transport operators, the Maharashtra government has made it mandatory for all autorickshaw and cab drivers to possess a working knowledge of the Marathi language. The new directive, which also applies to drivers of app based aggregators like Ola and Uber, aims to ensure smooth communication with passengers across the state.
The state transport department has officially issued a notification bringing the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Amendment Rules into force. According to the updated regulations, any authorised driver of a motor cab fitted with an electronic meter must have functional knowledge of the local language. State Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik clarified that the August 15 deadline for non Marathi speaking drivers to learn the language will not be extended, firmly stating that Marathi is the official language of the state and drivers providing public services must know it.
Taking strict measures to enforce the language mandate, the transport authority has outlined severe penalties for non compliance. If a driver is found lacking the required language skills, the licensing authority will issue a formal notice granting a one month grace period to acquire the knowledge. However, failing to comply within this stipulated timeframe could lead to the suspension of their driving license for up to three months, or even permanent revocation in cases of continued violations. The rule has also been extended to vehicle permit holders.
The state government had earlier launched a functional Marathi training programme to help drivers adapt to the new regulation. Over one lakh non Marathi passenger vehicle drivers have successfully completed this short training session. As a mark of encouragement, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is scheduled to distribute completion certificates to hundreds of these drivers on August 17.
The move has generated mixed reactions among the driver community in Mumbai, with many scrambling to complete their language training before the deadline. While the government maintains that knowing the local language is essential for passenger safety, convenience, and understanding their needs, the rigorous enforcement starting from August 18 has left several migrant drivers concerned about their immediate livelihood and permit renewals.