Pre-paid autos from railway station, KSRTC bus stand from Oct 2

September 29, 2011

Mangalore, September 29: The pre-paid autorickshaw service will start in the Central Railway Station and the KSRTC Bus stand in Lalbagh from October 2, informed Deputy Commissioner Dr N S Channappa Gowda.

Speaking to the media persons on the sidelines of the Regional Transport Authority meet held to discuss the hike in auto fare at the DC's office on Wednesday, the Deputy Commissioner said that the district administration and the KCCI is ready with the facilities including the software required for starting the pre-paid system. The pre-paid system which was introduced twice earlier in 2005 and 2008 was halted due to the improper management.

“The system will be introduced in the Central Railway Station and the KSRTC Bus Stand on October 2 and it would be started in Kankanady Junction after 15 days. The long pending demand of the public will be fulfilled with the introduction of the system,” he said.

Demand for meter hike

Earlier in the meeting, the auto rickshaw drivers and the owners demanded for the hike in auto rickshaw fare. Speaking on behalf of the auto drivers, Federation of Karnataka Auto rickshaw Drivers Union (FKADU) General Secretary L T Suvarna demanded for the revision of the current auto fair. He said that the minimum price of auto rickshaw which is Rs 15 at present should be hiked to Rs 18. “There has been hike in petrol, tyre prices, garage charges and insurance amount in the last one year. Therefore, auto fare hike is must for the survival of the auto rickshaw owners,” he insisted.

Meanwhile, Vishnumoorthy from the Auto rickshaw Owners Co-ordinating Committee insisted that minimum price should be somewhere between Rs 18 to Rs 21.

“The auto drivers outside Mangalore city, who do not have meters in their autos, charge minimum Rs 20. They are making bucks illegally. On the other hand, the auto drivers in Mangalore are finding it difficult to run their autos with soaring prices of goods and services,” he said.

One of the auto drivers also asked the Deputy Commissioner not to take the auto drivers for a ride if they carry one or two extra passengers.

The service buses are always overcrowded and carry passengers exceeding the limit. When nothing is done on that, why target only the auto drivers, asked an auto driver.

The Deputy Commissioner said that he would take the decision after considering the plight of the general public and the auto fares in other districts.

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From Dubai boom to Bengaluru backlash: Inside CJ Roy’s journey

News Network

January 31,2026

Bengaluru: The shooting incident involving CJ Roy, founder of the Confident Group, has once again put the spotlight on a businessman whose life has swung between flamboyant global success and persistent controversy at home.

Though Roy’s business interests extended across continents, his roots lay firmly in Karnataka. An alumnus of Christ School in Bengaluru, he later moved to Tumakuru to pursue an engineering degree. Those familiar with his early years describe him as intensely ambitious, beginning his career as a salesman at a small electronics firm dealing in computers.

Roy’s entry into large-scale real estate came through the Crystal Group, where he worked closely with Latha Namboothiri and rose from manager to director. However, the launch of the Confident Group in 2005 was clouded by industry speculation. Insiders speak of a fallout involving alleged “benami” properties and claims of deception that ultimately led to his independent venture—an episode Roy spent years trying to distance himself from, according to associates.

A tale of two cities

Roy’s professional trajectory diverged sharply across geographies.

In Dubai, he built a reputation as a bold and efficient developer, completing massive luxury residential projects in record time—some reportedly within 11 months. His rapid project delivery and lavish lifestyle in the Emirates earned him admiration and visibility in the real estate sector.

In Bengaluru, however, his image remained far more fractured. Sources say Roy stayed away from the city for several years amid disputes over unpaid dues to vendors and suppliers. Several projects were allegedly stalled, with accusations of unfulfilled commitments to cement and steel suppliers continuing to follow him.

Roy’s return to Bengaluru’s business and social circles began around 2018, marked by a conscious attempt at rebranding. His appointment as Honorary Consul of the Slovak Republic added diplomatic legitimacy, which he complemented with visible CSR initiatives, including ambulance donations and high-profile charity events.

Heavy police presence in Langford Town

Following the incident, police personnel from the Central division were deployed outside the Confident Group building in Langford Town, which also houses the Slovak Honorary Consulate in Bengaluru.

The otherwise busy premises near Hosur Road wore a deserted look on Friday, reflecting the shock and uncertainty that followed the tragedy.

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