Mumbai: As Maharashtra steps up enforcement of its Marathi language requirement for commercial vehicle drivers, a section of Mumbai’s autorickshaw drivers has voiced concern over what they call an unfair burden on veteran drivers who have spent decades serving commuters.
A 55-year-old autorickshaw driver questioned the need for the rule, saying learning a new language while working long hours is difficult. A senior transport officer said 1,643 auto and taxi drivers were checked for working knowledge of Marathi in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region on Tuesday, following which were issued showcause notices. In the rest of Maharashtra, 2,581 drivers were checked, of whom 140 received notices.
“We ferry passengers throughout the day. Learning a language at this age is not easy. Why is the govt enforcing Marathi on us?” he asked.
“Many drivers have 25 to 30 years of experience and have transported lakhs of passengers over the years. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Mumbai | Silver Rate in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai | Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Petrol Price in Mumbai | Diesel Price in Mumbai | CNG Price in Mumbai | LPG Price in Mumbai Stay updated with the latest Mumbai news.
Now they are being forced to undergo Marathi lessons and tests to survive in the trade,” said a senior driver. Others said enforcement should focus on service-related violations rather than language proficiency. Several drivers argue that language should not become a condition for continuing in the profession. They have provided reliable service to Mumbaikars. “If there are refusals, overcharging or meter tampering, punish the driver. Why suspend licences over language?” another driver remarked. The concerns intensified after roadside Marathi proficiency checks by Regional Transport Office (RTO) squads. Several claimed they had learnt the prescribed conversational phrases but were still marked unsatisfactory and issued one-month showcause notices, fuelling anxiety among thousands of drivers undergoing training across the city. Download the TOI App.
At a demonstration in Kandivli on Monday, drivers alleged they were asked questions that were never covered during Marathi classes conducted by RTO and literary organisations.