07 June,2026 01:12 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
From August 16, drivers who are unable to communicate with passengers in Marathi may face action from the Transport Department. Pic via State Transport Department
The Maharashtra government's initiative to teach practical Marathi to non-Marathi auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers has received an enthusiastic response, with thousands of drivers voluntarily enrolling in language classes across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
The programme, launched on June 1 by the Transport Department in collaboration with the Konkan Marathi Sahitya Parishad and Mumbai Sahitya Sangh, aims to help drivers communicate more effectively with passengers while promoting the use of Marathi in everyday interactions.
According to Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, who also chairs the State Transport Corporation, more than 4,500 teachers have been deployed for the campaign. Several taxi and rickshaw unions have also joined the initiative and are facilitating training sessions for drivers in different parts of the city.
The classes focus on conversational Marathi, commonly used phrases, and practical communication skills required during daily interactions with commuters. Authorities said drivers have been attending the sessions voluntarily and have shown a strong willingness to learn the language.
The government has directed all non-Marathi drivers operating in the state to acquire practical Marathi language skills by August 15.
From August 16, drivers who are unable to communicate with passengers in Marathi may face action from the Transport Department, as per directives issued by Sarnaik.
Speaking about the initiative, Sarnaik said Marathi was not merely a language but a bridge connecting Maharashtra's culture, identity and people. He added that better language skills would help build trust and improve interactions between drivers and passengers.
The campaign has gained support from transport associations and literary organisations, with officials describing it as an effort to strengthen linguistic harmony while improving customer service in the public transport sector.
The initiative is expected to continue across the Mumbai region in the coming weeks as authorities work towards achieving full participation before the August 15 deadline.
The rule that all auto rickshaw and taxi drivers must know Marathi was set to start being enforced from May 1, Maharashtra Day. However, after requests and protests, the deadline was extended.
The department carried out a drive across 59 regional and sub-regional offices to check licences, permits, and their ability to read and write Marathi. A report will be submitted on August 15, and a decision will be taken.
