Marathi will be mandatory for all licensed auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers in state from May 1, 2026, announced Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik on Tuesday, April 14.
The rule comes into effect from May 1 which is observed as Maharashtra Day. This announcement came days after the pilot project began in Mira Bhayandar last week.
The move aims to improve communication between drivers and passengers and promote the use of Marathi in daily life, the officials said.
An official statement said that the state transport department will carry out a special inspection drive through 59 regional and sub-regional offices.
Officials will check whether drivers can read and write Marathi. Those who fail to meet the requirement may face cancellation of their licences.
The government has warned that the drivers who do not comply with the rule will have their licences cancelled, the statement said.
It said that the transport officials who issue licences without proper checks may also face strict action.
According to Sarnaik, knowledge of the local language has always been a rule while issuing licences to drivers. However, complaints have increased in recent years, especially in cities such as Mumbai, Nagpur and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
Passengers have reported that many drivers are unable or unwilling to communicate in Marathi.
Sarnaik said that learning the local language is a responsibility for anyone working in a particular region.
He added that while people should take pride in their mother tongue, they must also respect and learn the language of the state where they earn their livelihood.
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