Tourists be aware of restrictions before visiting Kodagu on New Year's eve

News Network

December 16, 2020

Madikeri, Dec 16: After discouraging the cash rich Tourism industry for three years due to natural calamity that claimed many lives and left hundreds of people roofless due to landslides at various places, the district administration has come out with several restrictions, including as precaution for Covid-19 pandemic, on tourists who are enthusiastic in welcoming the new year in a big way.

As per the government directions, the new year celebrations are to be kept simple. Necessary precautions will be in place as there is uncertainty over the Covid-19 vaccine along with the possibility of a second wave by December end --January, according to a statement issued here on Wednesday.

As tourists came from all over to Kodagu, to celebrate the new year, homestays and resorts made a good business. However, this time, no special preparations are done, said, homestay owners.

However, this year, the celebrations will be dry as organising parties is prohibited. Penalties will be increased for violations. Homestays and resorts are bound to follow the regulations, said Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy.

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 Following an order from the central government to suspend toll collection, KSRTC has also withdrawn the additional fare with immediate effect,” he said.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