Auto, taxi drivers without Marathi certificate to face action after Aug 15: Maharashtra transport dept

Mumbai: Non-Marathi auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers in Maharashtra who fail to obtain a Marathi language proficiency certificate by Aug 15 will face action, the state transport department said on Friday.

The department has made it mandatory for all non-Marathi auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers to complete a four-hour 'Marathi Bhasha Samvad Pathyakram' ( Marathi communication course ) between June 1 and Aug 15, 2026.

The Maharashtra State Marathi Language Department, Konkan Marathi Sahitya Parishad and Mumbai Marathi Sahitya Sangh have been designated as authorised institutions to conduct the course for free. Certificates issued by these bodies alone will be recognised by the transport department.

Transport Department Joint Commissioner Ravi Gaikwad said 71 training centres have been set up across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and around 4,500 teachers associated with the Konkan Marathi Sahitya Parishad have been roped in.