{
  "id": 2999362,
  "title": "Mumbaikars pay '3 times' usual fare for autorickshaws as Marathi test kicks in: 'What are we achieving...?'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/mumbaikars-pay-3-times-usual-fare-for-autorickshaws-as-marathi-test",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-24T10:17:25.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Live Mint",
    "slug": "live-mint",
    "url": "https://www.livemint.com/news/india/mumbaikars-pay-3-times-usual-fare-for-autorickshaws-as-marathi-test-kicks-in-what-are-we-achieving-11787564409973.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Mumbaikars are feeling the impact of a new Marathi language requirement imposed on autorickshaw, taxi and cab drivers by the Maharashtra government. While some drivers have stayed off the roads during the crackdown, others have reportedly increased fares, causing significant inconvenience for commuters. The Maharashtra Transport Department has been conducting inspections near railway stations, shopping malls and major taxi stands to ensure drivers have basic proficiency in Marathi. Inspectors served show-cause notices to drivers who failed the Marathi test, issuing 1,499 notices on the second day of the enforcement drive. The rule has drawn criticism from both the film fraternity and drivers who have organized a three-day strike and blocked Kandivali Link Road. Complainants, including musicians and actors, argue that older drivers with little formal schooling struggle to meet the language requirement, leading to longer wait times and higher fares. Divya Unni, a former Malayalam actress, has condemned the enforcement strategy, arguing that harassment and heavy fines are not the way to achieve language proficiency. She believes people should be given ample time to learn the language, as children typically pick up languages more easily than adults. The disruption has prompted commuters to question the government's priorities and the necessity of the rule in 2026, with many expressing frustration on social media.",
  "summary": "The enforcement drive has drawn criticism from members of the film fraternity as well as autorickshaw drivers, who have staged a three-day strike against the directive.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}