Fish boxes gutted in night fire causing huge losses

March 6, 2012

Mangalore, March 6: More than 3,500 fish boxes were found gutted at port grounds in Bunder area of the city on Tuesday, March 6.

An estimated loss of Rs. 20,00,000 has been caused following the burning of about 90 percent of the boxes belonging to 20 different fisheries companies. The gutting reportedly took place last night.

It is being speculated that the act has been carried out by someone with a deliberate intention of harming the property.

"Only the boxes have caught fire and the walls around have not been damaged", said Mr. Qalandar, a boat owner.

Speaking to Coastaldigest.com, Mr. Ahmed, President of Mangalore Dry Fish Traders' Association, expressed doubts over the incident being an accident. "It is not an accident. Someone is behind it", he said, informing that the Association would file a police complaint in this regard at the Pandeshwar police station.

The area where these boxes were stored belongs to the Fisheries Department.

MLA U T Khader visited the spot and took stock of the situation.

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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 Following an order from the central government to suspend toll collection, KSRTC has also withdrawn the additional fare with immediate effect,” he said.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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