Koragas stage dharna against continued 'Ajalu' system

December 14, 2011

Udupi, December 14: Koraga Abhivruddhi Sanghagala Okkuta, Karnataka-Kerala, staged a dharna in front of the DC office here on Wednesday, protesting against the continued Ajalu practice in Udupi district.

In a memorandum submitted to the Deputy Commissioner they said that in spite of the prohibition on Ajalu system, which differenciates Koragas from other members of the community, the system was practices in the Kenjooru Kamabala.

Though information to the Udupi Tahasildar, who is also the president of the taluk level committee implementing the ban on Ajalu system, about the practice of Ajalu during the Kenjuru Kambala, was given writing, inspite of the undertaken given by the organizers of Brahma Baidarkala Kambala, in the presence of the police, the practice continued.

Though the members of the Okkuta, from the spot, informed the police of the Ajalu being practiced in Vaddambettu, Sub Inspector of Police failed to take action against the culprits, they alleged.

They demanded the immediate suspension of Brahmavar Sub Inspector and Udupi Tahasildar and stern police action against the organisers. They also demanded the district administration for comprehensive and immediate action against the Ajalu system across the district.

They threatened to hold an indefinite dharna from Dec 22 if their demands were not met. The dharna was held under the leadership of Dinesh Kenjoor, Gauri Kenjoor, Dinakar Kenjoor and others.

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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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