Auto-rickshaw drivers allegedly blocked Kandivali Link Road in Mumbai on Monday while protesting Maharashtra's Marathi language requirement for drivers. The demonstration reportedly disrupted traffic for around 20 minutes. The protest comes amid a statewide RTO drive assessing drivers' practical Marathi knowledge. Authorities have issued 1,921 notices to drivers across Maharashtra.

Mumbai: Kandivali Link Road Traffic Hit As Auto Drivers Protest Marathi Test; VIDEO |

Mumbai: Traffic movement on Kandivali Link Road was disrupted on Monday after a group of auto-rickshaw drivers allegedly stopped their vehicles on the road to protest against the state government's Marathi language requirement for drivers.

#AutoDriverProtest | Auto Drivers’ Protest Over Marathi Language Requirement Triggers Traffic Snarl On Kandivali Link Road



By: @ImAbhi5200 #Mumbai | #MumbaiNews | #Kandivali pic.twitter.com/n6GibDLoec

The protest reportedly led to a traffic jam on Link Road, with vehicle movement slowing for around 20 minutes and causing inconvenience to commuters and motorists. Traffic police reached the spot and began efforts to clear the road and bring the situation under control.

There were also allegations that some auto-rickshaw drivers carrying passengers were threatened during the protest. It was further alleged that non-Marathi-speaking drivers blocked the road as part of the demonstration.

Statewide Crackdown Over Marathi Language

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The protest comes amid an ongoing state-wide drive to assess the practical Marathi knowledge of auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers. According to data dated August 21, RTO teams tested 9,233 drivers across Maharashtra on Day 2, of whom 1,499 were found lacking practical Marathi knowledge and were subsequently served notices.

In the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), 3,942 vehicle owners and drivers underwent the assessment on the second day. Of these, 722 were found to lack practical Marathi knowledge and notices were issued to all of them. Outside the MMR, authorities tested 5,291 drivers, with 777 failing the practical language assessment and receiving notices.

Over 1,900 Notices Issued

The latest figures came a day after RTO teams tested 1,430 drivers on Day 1, issuing notices to 422 who were unable to demonstrate practical knowledge of Marathi. Taken together, the two-day exercise has resulted in 1,921 notices being issued to drivers across the state.

The assessment focuses on the practical use of Marathi rather than merely testing a driver's ability to read or write the language. Drivers are assessed on their ability to communicate with passengers in routine situations and handle basic interactions in Marathi.

The exercise follows the Maharashtra government's decision to make practical knowledge of Marathi a requirement for auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers.

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