Mangalore: KPCC chief predicts early fall of BJP government

February 27, 2012

Mangalore, February 27: Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee chief Dr G Parameshwar has predicted an early dissolution of the BJP led State Government owing to its never-ending internal rift.

He was speaking to media persons on Monday at Mangalore Airport before heading to Udupi to participate in a Congress convention.

Dr Parameshwar said that the ruling party of state was least bothered about the problems of the people, who were 'frustrated of unfulfilled promises and scandals'.

Speaking about strained relationship between senior BJP leaders and B S Yeddyurappa, Dr Parameshwar said the saffron party high command Nitin Gadkari should not have insulted the former Karnataka CM by saying he could leave the party if he wanted.

For the national president of the party the statement was not correct, he stated, expressing sympathy about Yeddyurappa.

Asked about the prongate, the Congress leader opined that there was no need of any inquiry into the issue as the unpardonable crime had happened before the watchful eyes of media and the prominent BJP ministers had caught red handed while watching porn clips during Assembly session.

He said that all three porn tainted MLAs should be disqualified from the Assembly for desecrating the temple of democracy.

The KPCC president also expressed confidence that his party's candidate Jayaprakash Hegde would secure victory in impending bypoll for Udupi-Chikmagalur constituency.

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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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