Karnataka likely to see total bandh on Sept 28 as farmers protest against contentious bills intensify

News Network

September 27, 2020

Bengaluru, Sept 27: Monday's Karnataka bandh called to protest anti-farmer and anti-labour bills is expected to be total as farmers associations, trade unions, various rights groups and organisations have come together.

All the associations passed a resolution under the banner of the 'Raita, Karmika, Dalit Aikya Horata' forum, condemning the state government's move to pass the Land Reforms Bill, which they said, would hand over the farmers' rights to the rich and the real estate, and establishes power of corporates over the APMC markets.

The forum said that Monday's bandh will be the beginning of its fight to prevent the government from implementing the amended laws.

The forum also said that in the coming days, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa would be gheraoed wherever he is seen. Farmer leader Kodihalli Chandrashekhar, whose faction stayed away from Friday’s road blockage protests, said there was no difference among the factions on Monday's bandh.

"Hundreds of organisations will join hands on Monday to stage the biggest protest. The state will go under voluntary shut down from 6 am to 6 pm. This is a collective decision," he said.

Goods transporters, taxi and auto rickshaw drivers have already announced their support to the bandh. The government will try to keep its services, including banking and transport, running despite the bandh. However, the protest is likely to disrupt them during the course of the day.

What's available: Vegetable, milk, medicine, petrol and diesel and other essential services, including Namma Metro.

Services to be affected: Taxi, auto-rickshaw, BMTC, KSRTC and other transport services.

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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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