Vatal Nagaraj slams new helmet rule in Karnataka

[email protected] (CD Network | Chakravarthi)

January 14, 2016

Mangaluru, Jan 14: Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj is all set to launch a fight against new helmet rule.

Addressing media persons in the city on Thursday Vatal said that he will hold a convention of two-wheeler riders in Bengaluru on January 16. He also has plans to burn helmets as a token of his protest against the government order that made helmet compulsory also for pillion rider.

"Making helmet compulsory for pillion riders is a major issue. I don't understand on what circumstance the Supreme Court made helmet compulsory for pillion riders. I feel it an unfavourable decision for two-wheeler riders. The rule, that was limited to Bengaluru, has been extended to all parts of the state. However, there is no clarity as to who is the pillion rider. If a couple has two children then the family will have to buy three additional helmets," Vatal said.

On safety aspects, Vatala said the government should educate people instead of making helmet compulsory for pillion riders. "Government should appeal in Supreme Court seeking changes in the rule. Clashes between police and two-wheeler riders will continue across the state, if the new helmet rule is made compulsory," Vatal said and added that he also has plans to approach the Supreme Court seeking relaxation with regard to new helmet rule.

"The matter should be discussed in the Parliament too as it is a matter directly related to poor people. Necessary law should be framed to exclude pillion riders from the purview of helmet rules," he urged and added that he will make the fight state-wide in the days to come.

Comments

Its one of the another way of looting money from the public to make extra income for this government.present government is not thinking of controlling traffic and avoiding accidents.most of the traffic junctions are without cops where these people are not giving the needed service to the public.These cops only give clear way and make traffic free for political leaders and common people have to suffer and they have fill their stomach fully without any struggle.helmet to pilion rider need to be eliminated otherwise cops n government will be looting the money from public

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Major facelift for Mangaluru's sporting heart: Mangala Stadium set for 2-month closure to upgrade synthetic track

News Network

December 15,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 15: Educational institutions in Mangaluru that rely on the popular Mangala Stadium for their annual sports events are bracing for an inconvenience as the city's key sporting venue is set to close its gates for a significant upgrade. The stadium is expected to be unavailable for approximately two months starting from January 15, 2026.

The closure is necessitated by a proposed overhaul of the stadium's facilities, with a special focus on upgrading the synthetic track. Pradeep Dsouza, Assistant Director of the District of Youth Empowerment and Sports (DYES), Dakshina Kannada, confirmed the development.

"Experts have visited the stadium, conducted a thorough inspection, and have given the go-ahead for a complete makeover," Dsouza stated. "Funds have been allocated for the project, and we are currently awaiting the final green signal from state officials to commence the work. We anticipate that the work will likely begin in the second week of January. Consequently, we have stopped renting out the stadium to colleges and other organizations in preparation for the upgrade."

The timing presents a logistical challenge for colleges, as many schools have already concluded their sports meets.

"Colleges will now be organizing their events and will need to find alternative locations to host their sports meets," Dsouza added. He suggested a few potential venues, including the Dakshina Kannada police ground, University College grounds, Panambur grounds, Swaraj Maidan in Moodbidri, and the Mangalore University sports grounds in Konaje.

However, many institutions note that finding a comparable venue will be difficult. While the DK police ground and University College grounds are closer to the city center, they do not possess the extensive facilities and infrastructure offered by Mangala Stadium.

Dr. P Dayananda Pai - P Satisha Govt First Grade College, Carstreet, is one such institution dependent on the stadium. Principal Jayakar Bhandary expressed hope for a swift completion of the work. "We expect the work to be completed at the earliest. If not, we will be forced to look for other venues to host the sports day for our students," Bhandary said, highlighting the pressing need for the city's main sporting facility.

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