1,268 Mumbai Drivers Issued Notices For Lack Of Marathi

The Maharashtra Transport Department has launched a statewide drive to check the Marathi language skills of commercial passenger vehicle drivers. As of August 20, 2026, 1,268 drivers have been issued notices for failing to demonstrate adequate knowledge of the language.

The inspection campaign, which began on August 20, will continue across Maharashtra until September 30, 2026. In the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, officials checked 3,995 drivers, of whom 604 were found to lack adequate practical Marathi knowledge and were issued notices.

In the rest of the state, 4,222 drivers have been checked so far, with 664 receiving notices. The drive included inspections by individual RTOs in Mumbai. At Wadala RTO, 192 drivers were checked and 75 notices were issued, while Borivali RTO checked 450 drivers and issued 113 notices.

According to the Transport Department, the requirement has been introduced to ensure that drivers of commercial passenger vehicles can communicate effectively with passengers. The department said practical Marathi is particularly important for passenger convenience and safety, as drivers interact directly with commuters during their daily operations.

Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said that drivers who conduct business in Maharashtra and directly interact with passengers must know practical Marathi. He emphasized that this is not merely a matter of rules but is linked to passenger convenience and safety.

Drivers are being given sufficient time to learn the language, but strict action will be taken against those who fail to comply after the deadline. During the inspections, officials will assess drivers' ability to understand and speak practical Marathi.

Those found lacking will initially receive an opportunity to improve rather than face immediate suspension. However, if they fail to acquire the required language skills within the stipulated period, their badges will be suspended for three months.

The minister said the campaign was intended to give drivers a reasonable opportunity to comply while making enforcement clear. The Transport Department has instructed officials to continue the checks until September 30 and take action against drivers who remain non-compliant after the one-month learning period.

The campaign is expected to cover commercial passenger vehicle drivers across the state, putting the focus on both language compliance and passenger interaction. This move is aimed at ensuring that drivers can effectively communicate with passengers, which is crucial for their convenience and safety.

In conclusion, the Maharashtra Transport Department's drive to check Marathi language skills of commercial passenger vehicle drivers is a significant step towards ensuring passenger convenience and safety. With the deadline for compliance approaching, drivers are advised to take necessary steps to improve their language skills and avoid any potential penalties.