Teachers showcase placards with Marathi conversation during the Marathi speaking course for Taxi Drivers and Auto Drivers at Wadala RTO in Mumbai. File
| Photo Credit: Emmanual Yogi
Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik on Wednesday (August 19, 2026) announced a drive to act against auto‑rickshaw and taxi drivers without “working knowledge” of Marathi from August 20.
“The licences of auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers refusing to learn Marathi could lead to suspension or cancellation,“ warned Mr Sarnaik, adding that the functional knowledge of the Marathi language among commercial vehicle drivers will be assessed.
The State Transport Department will send a notice to the drivers who refuse to learn the language or are seen violating the rules. The notice will grant a one-month grace period to concerned drivers to learn Marathi. The authorities will suspend the licence for three months if the drivers refuse to learn Marathi. If the situation remains the same, the licences will be cancelled.
Mr Sarnaik reiterated that the aim is to promote Marathi and increase its usage in day-to-day conversations, saying, “If any driver openly challenges the order, it will not be tolerated, and action will be taken.”
After the August 15 deadline to learn Marathi communication skills passed, the Maharashtra government warned the drivers not to violate the rules. After a 105-day campaign by the government to encourage taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers to learn Marathi, 1.65 lakh drivers received certificates of Marathi skills.
The campaign started on May 1 after the autorickshaw unions, Autorickshaw Drivers and Owner Association Samyukta Kriti Samiti, headed by Shashank Rao and Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam’s association, called out the government decision, saying “it is an injustice to implement the rule immediately,” and demanded time for drivers to learn Marathi.
Earlier in April, the Maharashtra government also released the Marathi language guidebook in an effort to help autorickshaw and taxi drivers to learn the language.
From August 20, drivers have to give a Marathi-speaking test while receiving their badge, issued after the driving licence.
Published – August 19, 2026 03:53 pm IST
