Overview
- The state changed Motor Vehicles rules to require a working knowledge of Marathi for commercial passenger-vehicle drivers and began on-road checks and disciplinary steps for non-compliance.
- A section of non-Marathi-speaking auto and taxi drivers staged a strike that disrupted travel, prompting talks between driver unions and the government.
- The government announced 161 Marathi training centres and a dedicated RTO helpline to handle complaints and to run short courses for drivers.
- Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis granted a one-year extension on Thursday and said no enforcement action will be taken during that period to avoid immediate livelihood losses.
- Some drivers have completed courses and received certificates while others use basic phrases unevenly, and officials say the extension aims to give time for real learning and smoother enforcement after the year ends.