National level 'Bala Srijanotsava' in City from Jan 22

December 10, 2011

Mangalore, December 10: Karnataka Bal Bhavan Society will organise a national-level 'Bala Srijanotsava' programme from January 22 to 25 at Pilikula Nisargadhama near Mangalore.

Addressing a news conference in this regard here on Friday, Society President Sulochana G K Bhat said that the programme will be inaugurated by Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda on January 22 at 5.30 pm. Minister for Women and Child Welfare C C Patil among others will take part.

The programme which is being held for the first time will provide a platform for multi talented students to showcase their talent. “As of now 73 Bal Bhavans from 25 states have agreed to take part in the programme. As many as 15 children along with two care takers will take part from each Bal Bhavan.

We are expecting over 3,000 students from both Karnataka and other states to take part in the programme. The number of students participating from 21 Bal Bhavans have been finalised,” said Bhat adding that children between 10 and 16 years can participate in the programme.

As many as 10 committees have been formed under the Dakshina Kannada district Deputy Commissioner for the smooth conduct of the programme. Accommodation for the participants has been arranged at 14 educational institutions in and around Vamanjoor area.

Programmes

On January 22, an elaborate procession showcasing flavours of local culture will be held at 3.30 pm. Activities for children will begin from 9.30 am every morning, which includes Yoga practice, art, various competitions, exhibitions, handicraft training, clay art, story writing/telling, painting, visit to zoo, magic shows etc. On January 24 creative art classes will be held.

From 3 pm to 8 pm, the children will be taken to Panambur beach where the children will be given an opportunity to learn kite making and kite flying and sand art. Cultural programmes will also be held here to create atmosphere of beach utsav. The valedictory programme will be held on January 25 at 11.30 am.

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Mangaluru–Kasaragod bus fare rolled back after Kerala protests force NHAI to shut Arikkady toll plaza

coastaldigest.com news network

February 5,2026

Mangaluru: The KSRTC Mangaluru division has rolled back the fare hike on buses operating on the Mangaluru–Kasaragod route following the suspension of toll collection at the Arikkady toll plaza near Kumbala in Kasaragod district.

The fare revision had been implemented after the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) began toll collection at the Arikkady plaza on NH-66. As a result, fares for ordinary and Rajahamsa services were increased by ₹7 and ₹10, respectively, raising the bus fare from Mangaluru to Kasaragod from ₹81 to ₹88.

Senior Divisional Controller of KSRTC’s Mangaluru division, Rajesh Shetty, said the fares were reduced after toll collection at the Arikkady plaza was stopped. “The tollgate began operations on January 13, and the toll amount was deducted from the FASTag accounts of KSRTC buses operating on the route. Following an order from the central government to suspend toll collection, KSRTC has also withdrawn the additional fare with immediate effect,” he said.

At present, vehicles travelling on the Mangaluru–Kasaragod route pay toll only at the Talapady toll plaza. The toll for light motor vehicles (LMVs) at Talapady is ₹80 for a same-day return, while heavy vehicles, including buses, are charged ₹250. At Arikkady, the toll rates were ₹130 for LMVs (same-day return) and ₹450 for buses.

Protests against Arikkady toll plaza

The Arikkady toll plaza witnessed widespread protests from January 12, the day toll collection commenced. On the second day, an action committee led by Manjeshwar MLA A K M Ashraf launched an indefinite protest at the site. Except for the BJP, leaders and workers of most major political parties participated in the agitation.

On the night of January 14, a large number of protesters gathered at the plaza and vandalised property, following which authorities temporarily suspended toll operations. The BJP later also expressed opposition to the toll plaza and criticised NHAI’s decision.

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