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Mangaluru, Nov 1: In a decisive move to bring order to the burgeoning fleet of electric auto-rickshaws, Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner Darshan H V has mandated that all battery-operated autos must secure valid permits to operate within the district.

The order, which took effect today, marks a significant reversal of an earlier directive from July 26, 2024, which had granted free movement to e-autos and vehicles running on methanol and ethanol. The new rule, issued under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, aims to streamline traffic, enhance passenger safety, and ensure fair competition among transport operators.

Mandatory Permits and Zone-Based Operations

The new notification establishes a clear two-zone system for operations:

Zone 1 (Mangaluru City & Ullal): E-autos registered between January 20, 2002, and October 30, 2025, must apply to the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) for a permit.

Identification: These vehicles will be marked with a sky-blue, square-shaped marking and a police-issued identification number.

Operation: They must operate strictly within designated auto stands under Zone 1 limits.

Zone 2 (Rural Areas): All electric autos registered after October 30, 2025, will be considered rural permit holders.

Identification: Zone 2 autos will be distinguished by a circular yellow sticker bearing a police-issued identification number.

Operation: These vehicles are strictly prohibited from entering Zone 1 boundaries and must operate exclusively within rural limits.

Enforcement and Compliance

The DC's directive is unequivocal: "All e-autos operating without valid permits must regularise their status immediately." This push is intended to ensure "road discipline, safety, and fair competition" within the transport sector.

The new system was framed following extensive deliberations at the RTA meeting held on August 18. To ensure strict enforcement, the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has been instructed to install necessary signboards, and the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime and Traffic Division) and the Senior Regional Transport Officer have been tasked with overseeing the effective implementation of the order across Dakshina Kannada.

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), which entered the Bihar election as the principal challenger to the ruling NDA, is heading toward one of its poorest performances in two decades. Despite contesting 143 seats, the Tejashwi Yadav–led party is currently ahead in only 32 constituencies — a dramatic fall from its position as the single largest party in the 2020 Assembly polls.

If the trends continue, this will mark RJD’s second-worst performance in a Bihar Assembly election. In 2005, when Nitish Kumar first swept to power riding a strong NDA wave, the RJD slipped to 55 seats amid heavy anti-incumbency against the Rabri Devi government. The party’s worst performance came in 2010, when it managed to win only 22 seats.

Two decades later, after multiple realignments and breakups, the Nitish Kumar–BJP combine appears to be cruising toward another decisive victory. The NDA is currently leading in 191 of the 243 Assembly seats, leaving the Mahagathbandhan far behind.

If these trends hold, Tejashwi Yadav could find himself presiding over the steepest electoral setback in the party’s history. The 36-year-old, who inherited the RJD’s leadership mantle from his father and party founder Lalu Prasad Yadav, had hoped for a strong resurgence this time.

Interestingly, despite trailing in many constituencies, the RJD continues to have the highest vote share among all contesting parties — indicating strong pockets of support but a failure to convert close contests into victories.

Several rounds of counting still remain, and the final picture may shift. However, as it stands, the RJD is staring at a significant rout, while the NDA looks firmly on course to form the next government in Bihar.

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), which entered the Bihar election as the principal challenger to the ruling NDA, is heading toward one of its poorest performances in two decades. Despite contesting 143 seats, the Tejashwi Yadav–led party is currently ahead in only 32 constituencies — a dramatic fall from its position as the single largest party in the 2020 Assembly polls.

If the trends continue, this will mark RJD’s second-worst performance in a Bihar Assembly election. In 2005, when Nitish Kumar first swept to power riding a strong NDA wave, the RJD slipped to 55 seats amid heavy anti-incumbency against the Rabri Devi government. The party’s worst performance came in 2010, when it managed to win only 22 seats.

Two decades later, after multiple realignments and breakups, the Nitish Kumar–BJP combine appears to be cruising toward another decisive victory. The NDA is currently leading in 191 of the 243 Assembly seats, leaving the Mahagathbandhan far behind.

If these trends hold, Tejashwi Yadav could find himself presiding over the steepest electoral setback in the party’s history. The 36-year-old, who inherited the RJD’s leadership mantle from his father and party founder Lalu Prasad Yadav, had hoped for a strong resurgence this time.

Interestingly, despite trailing in many constituencies, the RJD continues to have the highest vote share among all contesting parties — indicating strong pockets of support but a failure to convert close contests into victories.

Several rounds of counting still remain, and the final picture may shift. However, as it stands, the RJD is staring at a significant rout, while the NDA looks firmly on course to form the next government in Bihar.