422 Mumbai Auto and Taxi Drivers Issued Notices Over Marathi Language Rule

Regional Transport Office (RTO) flying squads have issued show-cause notices to 422 autorickshaw and taxi drivers across major Mumbai transport hubs, including Bandra, Goregaon, Kurla, Dadar, Borivali, Wadala, and Andheri, after they failed to demonstrate practical knowledge of Marathi.

The enforcement action was part of the Maharashtra state government's first major inspection drive to verify language proficiency among commercial drivers. During the drive, officials screened a total of 1,430 autorickshaw and taxi operators across the city to test their practical Marathi skills.

Authorities clarified that the show-cause notices do not translate to the immediate suspension or cancellation of driver badges. Instead, the 422 drivers have been given a one-month window to acquire basic practical Marathi speaking skills and submit explanations outlining why further penal action should not be initiated against them.

Under the applicable regulations, failure to comply within the given timeframe could result in the suspension of a driver's badge for up to three months. Continued non-compliance beyond that period could ultimately lead to the permanent cancellation of both the driver's badge and the vehicle permit.

The strict enforcement drive has triggered wide discussion and viral reactions online. Amid the ongoing scrutiny, a video posted by an Instagram user, @pawanraja808080, gained attention showing men attempting to push an autorickshaw into a train's luggage compartment, with social media users linking the clip to drivers reacting to the RTO inspection measures.