Maharashtra Faces Challenge Testing Over 8 Lakh Drivers Untrained in Marathi

The Maharashtra Transport Department is addressing the challenge of how to assess the language skills of more than eight lakh commercial passenger vehicle drivers across the state who did not take part in a government language training programme, following a mandate requiring practical knowledge of Marathi.

Under revised rules issued on August 12, professional passenger vehicle drivers in Maharashtra must possess practical knowledge of Marathi. To help drivers adapt to the requirement before enforcement, the Transport Department had previously launched a 105-day 'Learn Marathi' campaign.

Data shows that while over 1.65 lakh drivers participated in the 105-day initiative, a large gap remains. Maharashtra has a total of 9,78,541 valid auto-rickshaw and taxi permits, consisting of 9,16,884 auto-rickshaws and 61,657 taxis. Based on these official figures, more than 8.13 lakh permit holders across the state did not participate in the training drive.

The state now faces questions regarding the assessment process for those who did not complete the programme. Officials are yet to finalise the official format of the language test, the eligibility criteria, the designated testing authority, and the broader implementation mechanism.

The absence of an established testing system has raised concerns over whether an assessment framework should have been put in place before the revised rules officially came into force on August 12.

While the Marathi Language Department will continue to provide support to drivers who wish to learn the language, the Transport Department must determine how to evaluate and handle permit holders who did not undergo the course.

To resolve these implementation issues, a meeting of senior officials has been scheduled for Wednesday. The meeting will be held in the presence of Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik to deliberate on the matter and decide the next course of action for the remaining drivers.