1 week ago
Mumbai RTO Begins Marathi Tests, Taxi Driver Dispute Follows
Maharashtra officials are testing whether taxi and auto drivers can speak Marathi.
The checks began on August 20, 2026.
An officer in Mumbai said a taxi driver stopped on his own for the test.
The officer said the driver answered four questions correctly.
Afterward, the officer said the driver argued and would not leave.
Officials are also conducting tests at six places in Thane.
Drivers who do not meet the requirement will receive time to improve.
Their licences could later be suspended or cancelled if they still do not comply.
Maharashtra RTO flying squads began checking Marathi proficiency among auto-rickshaw, taxi and app-based cab drivers.
Assistant RTO Inspector Santosh Sanlukhe said a taxi driver voluntarily stopped and answered four Marathi questions properly.
Sanlukhe alleged the driver later refused to leave and argued with the officer.
RTO officials conducted Marathi checks at six locations across Thane and issued notices to drivers unable to communicate in Marathi.
Drivers who fail to improve may face a three-month licence suspension or, in deliberate non-compliance cases, permanent cancellation proceedings.
- Who
- Maharashtra Transport Department officials, including Assistant RTO Inspector Santosh Sanlukhe, and taxi, auto-rickshaw and app-based cab drivers.
- What
- Officials launched Marathi proficiency checks, while Sanlukhe described an alleged argument with a taxi driver after the driver completed a test.
- Where
- Mumbai and six inspection locations across Thane, Maharashtra.
- When
- The enforcement drive began on Thursday, August 20, 2026.
- Why
- To check whether commercial passenger-vehicle drivers meet prescribed Marathi language requirements.
Key facts
- Officials involved
- Regional Transport Office flying squads and Maharashtra Transport Department officials
- Test result described
- The taxi driver reportedly answered four Marathi questions properly.
- Thane inspections
- Checks began at six locations across Thane.
- Immediate action
- Initial notices are being issued to drivers found non-compliant.
- Improvement period
- Drivers who fail the requirement will reportedly receive nearly one month to improve.
- Possible penalty
- Licences may be suspended for three months if drivers continue to fail to comply.
- Severe penalty
- Proceedings to permanently cancel licences may begin in cases of deliberate refusal to improve.
Quotes
Santosh Sanlukhe
Assistant RTO Inspector at Mumbai RTO
“The taxi driver himself stopped and came forward. We then conducted his Marathi test. I asked him four questions in Marathi, and he answered them properly. I felt that he appeared somewhat mentally disturbed, so I did not engage with him further.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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