The Maharashtra Transport Department has launched a 100-day statewide verification drive targeting autorickshaws, taxis and other public service vehicles. The exercise combines checks on permits and licences with an assessment of drivers’ working knowledge of Marathi. Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik explains the objectives, implementation strategy and legal framework of the drive. What are its key objectives behind you initiating this drive? The 100-day drive, running from May 1 to August 15, is a statewide enforcement and compliance initiative designed to address two interconnected issues in the transport sector. First, it focuses on ensuring that commercial drivers are able to communicate effectively with passengers in Marathi. On the other, it targets illegal and unauthorised transport operations, which continue to function in several parts of the state despite earlier enforcement action. At the ground level, the drive will be implemented through all Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) in Maharashtra.…