The Maharashtra government will give autorickshaw and taxi drivers time to learn Marathi before taking action under the amended motor vehicle rules. State Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik clarified that permits or licences will not be cancelled immediately, with the government aiming to protect livelihoods while ensuring passenger transport drivers have functional Marathi skills.

"There are around 9.16 lakh autorickshaws and 61,657 taxis in Maharashtra. A large number of them operate in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. We have decided to continue the initiative and make efforts to teach Marathi to those who do not know the language," Sarnaik said.