Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has launched a welfare board aimed at supporting autorickshaw and taxi drivers and their families, underlining the government’s focus on strengthening social security for transport workers.
The initiative comes as Maharashtra continues to address the economic and welfare concerns of the state’s large community of autorickshaw and taxi drivers. The Maharashtra Transport Department lists the body as the Dharamveer Anand Dighe Saheb Maharashtra State Auto Rickshaw and Metered Taxi Drivers Welfare Board.
Shinde Highlights Transport Workers’ Contribution
Speaking at the programme, Shinde acknowledged the role played by autorickshaw and taxi drivers in keeping Maharashtra’s transport network functioning, particularly during difficult periods.
He also honoured transport workers during the event and highlighted the importance of recognising their contribution to public mobility and essential services.
The welfare initiative is intended to provide a structured mechanism for addressing the needs of drivers and their families, an issue that has been raised by driver associations for several years.
Welfare Board Gets Formal Backing
The creation of a dedicated welfare body for autorickshaw and taxi drivers has been under consideration in Maharashtra for years. A state transport committee had earlier recommended establishing a welfare board and providing measures covering areas such as healthcare, pensions, insurance and education for drivers and their families.
The Maharashtra government subsequently moved towards establishing a welfare board for autorickshaw and metered taxi drivers, with an initial allocation of Rs 50 crore reported in 2024. (The Indian Express)
The current board provides an institutional framework through which welfare-related measures for the driver community can be implemented.
Focus on Social Security
Transport workers often depend on daily earnings and can face financial difficulties during periods of illness, accidents or reduced mobility. Earlier state-level recommendations had identified medical support, pension arrangements, insurance and educational assistance for drivers and their dependants as important welfare areas.
The welfare board is expected to provide a platform for such measures and improve access to government support.
The move is also significant because Maharashtra’s autorickshaw and taxi sector is closely linked to urban and semi-urban public transport, with drivers serving as an important part of the state’s last-mile connectivity network.
Post-COVID Welfare Measures Highlighted
Shinde also referred to welfare initiatives undertaken by the Maharashtra government following the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic had highlighted the vulnerability of workers dependent on daily passenger movement, including those in the transport sector.
The government’s emphasis on welfare has since included measures aimed at improving support for different sections of workers and strengthening access to social-security initiatives.
By highlighting these measures alongside the new welfare board, the government has positioned the initiative as part of a broader effort to provide institutional support to workers in the transport sector.
Maharashtra Transport Sector in Focus
The development comes at a time when issues affecting autorickshaw and taxi drivers remain prominent in Maharashtra. The state recently revised tariff cards for autorickshaws and metered taxis, with the Transport Department publishing revised tariff documents dated September 1, 2026.
The welfare board therefore comes against a wider backdrop of policy decisions affecting drivers, including fares, regulatory requirements and worker welfare.
For the driver community, the effectiveness of the new board will ultimately depend on how quickly welfare schemes are implemented and how easily eligible workers can access the benefits.
