Strict actions against covid-19 negligence: Minister Sudhakar

News Network

September 29, 2020

Bengaluru, Sept 29: The Medical Education Minister Dr K Sudhakar has warned stern actions against people who flout social distancing rules in public places.

He was speaking to media persons after conducting a meeting with expert committee regarding Covid19 at Vidhana Soudha on Tuesday.

Coronavirus has been on a high in the past two months in the state, said the Minister.

Despite raising awareness regarding the dangers caused by the virus, the general public has been negligent without wearing masks, the State Government is keen on bringing stern rule against those who flout the social distancing rules in public. A detailed directive will be out in a few days, he added.

Post Coronavirus unlock in the state, political and religious gatherings have been on a high, and people are attending in alarming numbers. This has led to rapid spread of virus. Hence, it has been decided to put the stopper on these gatherings in the state, he said.

The Minister further said that events that are held in unavoidable circumstances with only 100 people will be allowed with prior permission from the district administration.

He informed that the Government plans to organise awareness programmes jointly in cooperation with cinema stars, religious heads, political leaders and artists.

The Minister also called upon people of the state to raise awareness about Coronavirus.

'Workshop for media persons'

Stating that the role of media in raising awareness about Coronavirus is notable, the Minister said that the Government is mulling over organising a special workshop for media persons. The workshop will be organised within a week, he said.

Noting that Covid-19 positive rate in 7 out of 11 districts is 12%, Dr Sudhakar said the death rate in the state is at 1.5%. Measures are being taken to reduce this to less than 1%, he added.

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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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