No Marathi, No Licence? Maharashtra Begins Checks on Mumbai Auto-Taxi Drivers
What Happened
From today, Maharashtra has started enforcing its Marathi language requirement for auto, taxi and app-based cab drivers. Drivers who cannot demonstrate basic Marathi proficiency will first receive a 30-day notice, followed by a three-month licence suspension, and eventually licence cancellation if they continue to remain non-compliant. Around 1.25 lakh drivers who completed the government-certified Marathi course are exempt from action.
Key Takeaways
The move marks one of Maharashtra's strongest language-enforcement measures in public transport, aiming to improve passenger-driver communication while encouraging migrant drivers to learn Marathi. However, drivers still have a grace period before facing penalties.