Mumbai RTO Checks Drivers Over Marathi Language Requirement

On Thursday, the Mumbai RTO conducted a major enforcement exercise, checking 1,430 autorickshaw and taxi drivers for their practical knowledge of Marathi. The exercise resulted in show-cause notices being issued to 422 drivers who failed to demonstrate the required language skills.

The inspections were carried out at major transport hubs across Mumbai, including Bandra, Goregaon, Kurla, Dadar, Borivali, and Wadala. Tardeo RTO officials checked 385 vehicles and issued 94 notices, while Borivali teams inspected 450 vehicles and found 113 drivers lacking adequate practical Marathi skills.

The drivers who received notices have been given a one-month window to acquire practical Marathi skills and explain why further action should not be taken. If they fail to comply, their badges can be suspended for up to three months, and continued non-compliance could eventually lead to cancellation of the badge and permit.

However, the enforcement has exposed another difficulty: the certification process itself. Several drivers who completed the government's Marathi training programme have been making repeated visits to RTO offices to collect certificates needed to establish compliance. Long queues, limited counters, and delays in issuing certificates have added to their concerns.

The transport department had earlier said that around 1.65 lakh non-Marathi-speaking taxi and autorickshaw drivers participated in a Marathi language training campaign conducted by Marathi literary organisations. The requirement was introduced through amendments to the Maharashtra Motor Vehicle Rules, with the government maintaining that the objective is to ensure drivers can communicate effectively with passengers in Marathi.

The department has also said that new applicants seeking taxi and autorickshaw badges will have to demonstrate their knowledge of Marathi as part of the application process. The implementation of the rule could pose a significant challenge for the transport department as well as drivers.

Drivers have raised concerns about the certification process, with one taxi driver saying that completing the process was costing him working time. Another driver, who completed the course in August, said the delay could leave drivers uncertain about how to prove their compliance.

The Mumbai RTO's enforcement exercise is part of the state government's efforts to promote the use of Marathi language in the state. The government has maintained that the objective of the rule is to ensure that drivers can communicate effectively with passengers in Marathi, and that it will help to promote the language and culture of the state.

In conclusion, the Mumbai RTO's enforcement exercise has highlighted the challenges faced by the transport department and drivers in implementing the Marathi language requirement. While the government's objective is to promote the use of Marathi language, the certification process and the enforcement of the rule pose significant challenges that need to be addressed.

The implementation of the rule could have significant implications for the transport sector in Mumbai, and it remains to be seen how the government will address the challenges faced by drivers and the transport department. The government's efforts to promote the use of Marathi language are likely to continue, and it is essential that the challenges faced by the transport sector are addressed to ensure the effective implementation of the rule.

The transport department's efforts to promote the use of Marathi language are part of a broader effort to promote the language and culture of the state. The government's initiatives to promote the use of Marathi language include the introduction of Marathi language training programmes for drivers, and the requirement for new applicants seeking taxi and autorickshaw badges to demonstrate their knowledge of Marathi.

Overall, the Mumbai RTO's enforcement exercise has highlighted the importance of addressing the challenges faced by the transport sector in implementing the Marathi language requirement. The government's efforts to promote the use of Marathi language are likely to continue, and it is essential that the challenges faced by drivers and the transport department are addressed to ensure the effective implementation of the rule.