Mumbai Auto-Taxi Rules: A very important and big news has come out for the Amarathi rickshaw and taxi drivers doing business in the entire state including the capital Mumbai of Maharashtra. The state government has taken an important step to make public transport services in the state more accessible and passenger-oriented. Accordingly, it has now been made mandatory for rickshaw and taxi drivers to have at least practical knowledge of Marathi language to communicate with passengers. State Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has given a clear and strict warning that direct legal action will be taken against drivers who do not follow this rule and are unable to speak Marathi after August 15.
The 105-day deadline for Marathi education has expired.
The state government had given sufficient time to the Amharic drivers to learn the local language from a humanitarian point of view. A total of 105 days, from Maharashtra Day (May 1) to Independence Day (August 15), was given to the drivers to acquire a thorough knowledge of the Marathi language. Notably, during this period, the state government had also organized special training campaigns and classes and given Marathi lessons to the Amharic drivers. However, now this period is officially ending on August 15, and the Transport Minister has firmly stated in a press conference that no additional extension will be given to the drivers to learn the language. Mumbai Auto-Taxi Rules
Direct roadside inspection and action by RTO
After the deadline of August 15, i.e. from August 17 and 18, the Regional Transport Office (RTO) officials will undertake a large-scale special inspection campaign across the state, including Mumbai. The RTO team will stop drivers on the road and directly communicate with them in Marathi. If the driver is unable to give a simple answer in Marathi during this interaction or refuses to speak in Marathi, further strict action will be taken within the framework of the Motor Vehicle Rules. Earlier, only a minor fine of Rs 500 was levied for such matters. However, according to the revised rules, now strict legal action can be taken like cancellation of the driver’s license or vehicle permit directly. Mumbai Auto-Taxi Rules
The role behind the decision; not coercion, but respect for culture
Speaking on the entire campaign, Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has clarified the government’s stance. “This decision is not against any particular language or region,” he said. People who live and earn their living in Maharashtra need to respect the local language and culture. He expressed the feeling that every driver who speaks a few sweet words in Marathi to passengers will be an ambassador of Maharashtra’s culture. This rule will not only apply to black and yellow taxis and autorickshaws, but also to aggregator cabs like Ola-Uber, bike taxis and commercial buses. Therefore, it is now clear that if they want to survive in Mumbai, drivers will now have to communicate in Marathi. Mumbai Auto-Taxi Rules
This campaign is expected to bring a disciplined and civilized look to the public transport system in Mumbai. Although this decision, taken for the convenience of passengers and the preservation of local culture, is binding on drivers, it will also strengthen the linguistic tradition of Maharashtra. Mumbai Auto-Taxi Rules