Commuters across Mumbai faced a shortage of autorickshaws and taxis on Monday, with several drivers keeping their vehicles off the road amid an ongoing crackdown by the state transport department over mandatory Marathi language proficiency.
The rule subsequently lead to inflated fares and longer wait times during peak office hours, people complained.
The Marathi Language Rule
The Maharashtra Transport Department has been enforcing a rule requiring autorickshaw and taxi drivers to demonstrate a working knowledge of Marathi, with Regional Transport Office (RTO) officials conducting checks outside railway stations, malls and prominent taxi stands over the past week.
Drivers found unable to converse in the language have been issued show-cause notices, with some facing suspension of their licences and badges.
More than 2,500 such notices have reportedly been issued across the state in the past four days, according to a report, which quoted Mumbai Rickshawmen's Union leader Thampy Kurien.
Several drivers had altered their routes or temporarily withdrawn their vehicles from service to avoid inspection points.
Commuters Bear The Brunt
The reduced availability of autos led to a spike in fares, with commuters flagging steep price differences for short rides on social media.
What's the difference between Auto Lite and Auto??? ????????
— Chaipaglu (@Mahiixz) August 24, 2026
₹147 vs ₹193 for the same 3-minute ride ???????? pic.twitter.com/OknF19umHe
Several users also reported long delays in booking autos during Monday's morning rush, with some hashtagging it a "Mumbai rickshaw strike" even though no formal strike was called.
There is no auto available in Mumbai at office timing, thank to mandatory Marathi for auto drivers ???? @mybmc
— Abhinendra Singh (@iamabhinendra) August 24, 2026
"Getting an auto today was exceptionally expensive, so much so that the cab option was cheaper. It took a lot of time and I reached office 45 minutes late. I did not understand what was happening," said Samhitha Kandadai, Manager (Entertainment) at Havas Play.
Coming from Delhi, where one has to beg auto drivers to take you to your destination and where fare meter is never used, Mumbai's autorickshaws are exactly the opposite and pretty efficient. Millions of commuters depend on them. Now, even that is being disrupted. https://t.co/zKr5FnJAdw
— Nidhi Jamwal (@JamwalNidhi) August 24, 2026
ALSO READ: Auto, Taxi Drivers Refusing To Speak Marathi Before RTO Officials Will Face Action: Pratap Sarnaik
Reports also emerged of some drivers relocating their vehicles out of Mumbai and Thane to states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, citing fear of penal action.
Thousands of auto drivers in Mumbai and Thane are taking their autos back to Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
— Facts (@BefittingFacts) August 23, 2026
The Maharashtra government has introduced a rule requiring auto drivers to speak Marathi in the state.
For the past week, RTO officials have been checking whether auto drivers…
Drivers Cite Inadequate Training
Driver unions have maintained they are not opposed to learning Marathi but say training infrastructure remains insufficient.
Mumbai Auto-Rickshawmen's and Taximen's Union president Shashank Rao told NDTV the government had been asked to extend the compliance deadline by three months and halt punitive action until adequate training centres were set up.
Some union representatives are also learnt to be consulting legal counsel over a possible high court challenge to the notices, arguing they were issued without first ensuring sufficient training facilities were in place.
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