Auto-rickshaw drivers demand fare revision, new subsidies

[email protected] (CD Network, Photos by Savitha B.R)

July 12, 2011

Mangalore, July 12: Auto-rickshaw drivers belonging to various unions staged a demonstration in the city on Tuesday demanding the revision in auto fare in view of the recent hike in fuel prices.

The protesters, who took out rally pushing the rickshaws sans fuels from Hampankatta Circle to Deputy Commissioner's Office, demanded a 40% raise in the minimum auto fare with immediate effect.

U Ali Hasan, President of Coordinating Committee of Dakshina Kannada District Organizations of Auto Drivers said that when the last time the auto fare revised, the price for one litre petrol was Rs 50 and now, it is about Rs 70. Moreover, the price for LPG has also been hiked from 30 to 40 per cent. Therefore, the revision in auto fare is inevitable, he said.

He said the contribution of MCC for the poor condition of road work also affects the longevity of the auto rickshaws. Spare parts of autos, tires and garage fee also hiked in these days. “There is no way other than hiking the minimum fare,” he opined and added that District Administration should fulfill their demand immediately.

B Vishnu Moorthy, General Secretary of the Committee said that government should provide auto-rickshaw drivers 5 litre petrol and 5 litre LPG as subsidy on par with fishermen.

He also urged the government to fill the vacancies in RTO so that work will be done smoothly.

The members of DK District Auto-rickshaw Drivers Associations, Janatha Auto-rickshaw and Vehicles' Association, Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, Surathkal Auto-rickshaw Drivers and Owners Association, Minorities Drivers and Owners Association and others took part in the protest.

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Roadblock to Relief: Speaker Khader’s Push to Expand Key NH-66 Stretch from Nanthoor to Talapady

News Network

November 26,2025

Mangaluru, Nov 26: Assembly Speaker and local MLA U.T. Khader has initiated a high-level push to resolve one of Mangaluru’s longest-standing traffic headaches: the narrow, high-density stretch of National Highway-66 between Nanthoor and Talapady.

He announced on Tuesday that a formal proposal has been submitted to the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) seeking approval to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the widening of this crucial corridor.

The plan specifically aims to expand the existing 45-meter road width to a full 60 meters, coupled with the construction of dedicated service roads. Khader highlighted that land for a 60-meter highway was originally acquired during the initial four-laning project, but only 45 meters were developed, leading to a perpetual bottleneck.

"With vehicle density rising sharply, the expansion has become unavoidable," Khader stated, stressing that the upgrade is essential for ensuring smoother traffic flow and improving safety at the city's main entry and exit points.

The stretch between Nanthoor and Talapady is a vital link on the busy Kochi-Panvel coastal highway and connects to major city junctions. The move to utilize the previously acquired land for the full 60-meter width is seen as a necessary measure to catch up with the region's rapid vehicular growth and prevent further traffic gridlocks.

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