Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced on April 23 that the state will introduce a structured training programme to help autorickshaw, taxi, and app-based drivers learn Marathi.
The initiative comes ahead of a statewide assessment of drivers’ proficiency in the language, scheduled to begin on May 1.
The transport department has partnered with literary organisations such as the Mumbai Marathi Sahitya Sangh and the Konkan Marathi Sahitya Parishad to develop and deliver free training. These programmes will focus on basic conversational Marathi and will be offered through a mix of in-person classes and online modules.
While the Parishad plans to conduct sessions through its network of branches, the Sahitya Sangh aims to deploy volunteer educators for digital instruction. A detailed curriculum is expected soon.
The move coincides with renewed emphasis on Marathi, which has recently been recognised as a classical language. Authorities say the goal is not only to improve communication between drivers and passengers but also to encourage a deeper appreciation of the language among non-native speakers.
At the same time, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has begun placing stickers on autorickshaws in Mumbai indicating that drivers can speak Marathi, reflecting growing political and social attention around the issue.
Sarnaik stressed that the policy is not new but rather an effort to strengthen enforcement of existing rules requiring those engaged in public-facing services to communicate in Marathi. The updated drive will also extend to drivers working with app-based platforms such as Ola and Uber.
Officials have emphasised that the training will be conducted in a supportive and flexible manner, without placing undue burden on drivers who often work long and irregular hours. However, questions remain about the programme’s scale and implementation.
In Mumbai alone, the transport network includes approximately 280,000 autorickshaw permits and 20,000 taxi permits, supporting an estimated 500,000 drivers across shifts. Ensuring widespread participation and consistent attendance could therefore pose logistical challenges.
Additionally, the assessment drive will be used to detect irregularities in the sector, including fraudulent licences. Authorities believe the initiative will help address long-standing complaints from passengers who face communication barriers when drivers are unable to converse in Marathi, ultimately improving service quality while reinforcing the language’s cultural significance.
Also Read: Sanjay Nirupam Opposes Mandatory Marathi Rule for Taxi and Rickshaw Drivers in Maharashtra
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