Thane RTO Issues Notices to 89 Commercial Drivers Over Marathi Proficiency
The Transport Department in Thane has issued notices to 89 commercial vehicle drivers over the course of a three-day inspection drive after they were found lacking proficiency in the Marathi language. The inspections covered auto-rickshaws, taxis, app-based cabs from Ola and Uber, and tourist vehicles operating across the city.
The enforcement drive was conducted under the directives of the Maharashtra State Transport Department, which mandates that drivers operating commercial passenger vehicles in the state must possess a basic knowledge of Marathi. The statewide rule aims to facilitate clear communication between drivers and daily commuters, particularly senior citizens, women, and local residents.
Under the supervision of Regional Transport Officer Hemangini Patil, regional teams inspected a total of 1,183 vehicles over three consecutive days. On the first day of the drive, officials checked 500 vehicles and issued notices to 31 drivers. On the second day, 355 vehicles were inspected, resulting in notices to 36 drivers. The third day saw 328 vehicles inspected, with 22 drivers receiving notices, according to Deputy Regional Transport Officer Rohit Katkar.
Alongside enforcement measures, the department is promoting awareness regarding the requirement. State authorities have previously organised Marathi learning classes across Maharashtra to help drivers relocating from other states pick up the language for their daily commercial operations.
Transport officials noted that auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers interact directly with a large volume of passengers every day. The department emphasised that learning the local language is essential to making public transport services smoother and more dependable for local commuters.
Patil noted that drivers who have arrived in Maharashtra from other states for employment should view learning Marathi not merely as a regulatory requirement, but as a practical medium to connect with the local community.
