MUMBAI: ‘No’ has got some stiff competition in Mumbai after the mandatory requirement of working knowledge of Marathi has, of late, seen cab and autorickshaw drivers rushing to polish their language skills. After having picked up basic Marathi at RTO-run language classes, some auto drivers are using their newly acquired vocabulary to rustle up a string of excuses to refuse rides.One auto driver in Kurla has scribbled down what he claims are essential phrases in Marathi to get by. Most of these are different ways to turn down passengers – from “mala jevayla jayche aahe” (I need to eat), “mala lagvi la jayche aahe” (I need to use the restroom) and “mala ghari jaychay” (I need to go home), to “mala gas bharaychay” (I need to refill CNG) and “mala riksha durust karaychi aahe” (I need to repair the auto).The driver’s notes aren’t entirely dedicated to strategic refusals, though. They include practical phrases such as “hoy, basa” (yes, please sit), “kuthey jaychay?” (where do you want to go?), “to kuthe aahe?” (where is that place?) and “ujvi/davi kade gheu?” (should I take a right/left?). Along with the all-important financial vocabulary of Mumbai’s transport ecosystem: “sutte dya” (please give change) and “sutte nahi” (I don’t have change).The rush for acquiring Marathi-speaking skills comes as the state has enforced the amended Motor Vehicles Rules that require drivers of all commercial passenger vehicles in the state to possess a working knowledge of the language.However, the fear of a crackdown saw a large-scale protest by a section of non-Marathi-speaking autorickshaw and taxi drivers, who stayed off the roads Monday. As commuters bore the brunt, facing travel disruptions and steep fare hikes, state govt Tuesday sought to reassure transport workers by announcing 161 Marathi language training centres across the state and a dedicated RTO helpline to address complaints of harassment, illegal fines and alleged irregularities during Marathi proficiency checks. Transport minister Pratap Sarnaik said the centres would become operational within the next two to three days.Drivers who fail the on-road tests for Marathi-speaking skills are being given a one-month notice period to learn the language. However, driver unions have sought more time and support for compliance. CM Devendra Fadnavis had said Monday that govt was willing to give more time to learn the language.Sarnaik clarified that drivers would first receive a one-month notice, followed by a three-month suspension period. During this time, no immediate licence cancellation would take place, he said.For Mumbai’s passengers, however, the real test of auto drivers’ Marathi proficiency may be when “hoy, basa” becomes more common than “mala ghari jaychay”.
