The Maharashtra government has formally proposed a requirement for auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers to possess a working knowledge of Marathi, aiming to enhance communication with passengers. This initiative is part of amendments to the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, and is currently open for public feedback for 30 days. The Home (Transport) Department's draft notification empowers licensing authorities to assess applicants' Marathi proficiency, particularly for public service vehicle drivers. To assist non-native speakers, the government plans to introduce basic language training, with support from literary bodies like the Mumbai Marathi Sahitya Sangh. However, significant questions remain regarding the training and monitoring of the nearly 500,000 drivers in Mumbai, especially those working for app-based platforms such as Ola and Uber. A statewide inspection drive is also scheduled for May 1 to ensure compliance with the new rules and to check for valid permits. This move marks a significant step in transitioning from policy discussions to regulatory action regarding language requirements in public transport.