Starting today, the Maharashtra Transport Department begins a 100-day statewide verification drive for autorickshaws, taxis and other public service vehicles, combining checks on permits and licences with an assessment of drivers’ working knowledge of Marathi. The exercise, to be conducted across all 59 Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) till August 15, marks the first coordinated rollout of the state’s push for “functional Marathi”, while also targeting illegal and unregulated transport operations. Naresh S explains how the drive will work on the ground, what it means for drivers, and how it could impact daily commuters. The drive follows a policy push led by Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, who last month warned that permits of public service vehicle drivers could be cancelled if they do not know Marathi.…