Drive away Ola cabs from Mangaluru: Agitating taxi operators tell govt

[email protected] (CD Network | by Rajeesh Kumar | photos by Satheesh)
July 3, 2015

Mangaluru, Jul 3: Demanding the withdrawal of Ola cab service from Mangaluru with immediate effect and proper enquiry into the money source of App based taxi service, traditional taxi operators staged a massive protest in the city on Friday. The protest was organised under the aegis of Dakshina Kannada Taxi Men’s and Maxicab Association.

taxi rally 1

The agitators, who took out a taxi rally from Jyothi circle to Nehru Maidan and staged a protest meeting in front of the office of Deputy Commissioner in the city, set a 30 day deadline for the authorities to take necessary action against Ola cab service and stop its operation in the coastal city.

Inaugurating the protest meet, G R Shanmukhappa, president, Federation of Karnataka State Lorry Owners and Agents Association, warned the authorities that committing suicide was the only option for traditional taxi drivers if Ola cabs established their monopoly in the city.

“The taxi drivers of the city have already complained to the administration against ‘illegal’ operation of Ola cabs. App based service violates the law as such cabs do not possess city taxi permit and operating disregarding motor vehicle act,” he complained and demanded action.

In solidarity with local taxi operators, several other organizations including Bangalore Tourist Taxi Association, Federation of Karnataka Tourist Transport Association and Udupi District Taxi Men’s Association also took part in the protest.

DK Association President K. Monappa Bhandari suspected app-based operators are being funded through black money and alleged they are patronized by politicians and bureaucrats. Since six months, the state transport department is dillydallying on regulating app-based operators, he said.

Karnataka state Association president K G Raveendra, and Udupi Association president Raghupathi Bhat also spoke on the occasion.

Around 300 traditional taxi operators took part in the protest. Kannan, a city based taxi driver who has been running a taxi for last 52 years told Coastaldigest.com that ever since the Ola cabs started entered Mangaluru, many traditional taxi drivers are returning home with empty pockets. “Almost 2000 traditional taxi drivers in the city are losing their livelihood as they cannot compete with Ola cabs,” he said adding that if same situation continues taxi drivers have no other option but committing suicide.

taxi rally 2

taxi rally 3

taxi rally 4

cab protest 1

cab protest 2

protest cabs 1

protest cabs 1

protest cabs 1

protest cabs 1

protest cabs 1

protest cabs 1

protest cabs 1

protest cabs 1

protest cabs 1

protest cabs 1

protest cabs 1

protest cabs 1

protest cabs 1

protest cabs 1

protest cabs 1

protest cabs 1

protest cabs 1

protest cabs 1

protest cabs 1

protest cabs 1

protest cabs 1

protest cabs 1

protest cabs 1

protest cabs 1

cab protest 2

cab protest 2

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
December 2,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 2: Mangaluru International Airport responded to a medical emergency late on Monday night. Air India Express flight IX 522, travelling from Riyadh to Thiruvananthapuram, was diverted to Mangaluru Airport after a passenger in his late 30s experienced a medical emergency on board.

The Airport’s Operations Control Centre received an alert regarding the passenger’s health condition. The airport activated its emergency response protocol, mobilising the airport medical team and coordinating with stakeholders including CISF, immigration, and customs. 

Upon landing, airport medical personnel attended to the passenger, assessed his condition, and arranged to shift him to a local tertiary-care hospital for further treatment. The passenger’s relatives accompanied the passenger, who incidentally received necessary medical care on board, which helped stabilise the situation.

Following the handling of the emergency, the flight departed for Thiruvananthapuram at 2:05 am on Tuesday.

"We appreciate the cooperation of all parties involved, and this incident reaffirms our ongoing commitment to prioritising passenger safety and readiness to respond to unforeseen emergencies with professionalism and care," the Airport spokesperson said. 

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
December 2,2025

DKSsiddu.jpg

Bengaluru: 'Nati koli saaru' (country chicken curry) considered one of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s favourites along with steaming hot idlis was on the breakfast menu at Deputy CM D K Shivakumar’s residence on Tuesday, according to official sources.

The spread also included 'nati koli' fry, vada and pongal, among other items, they said.

In an apparent show of unity, Siddaramaiah visited Shivakumar’s residence for breakfast, just days after the two leaders shared a meal amid a simmering power tussle in the state Congress.

Siddaramaiah drove to the Deputy CM’s residence in Sadashivanagar, where he was received by Shivakumar and his brother D K Suresh, who is a former Congress MP.

Suresh and Kunigal MLA H D Ranganath, a relative of Shivakumar, joined them for breakfast, which featured a mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes.

Speaking to reporters later, Siddaramaiah said Shivakumar had invited him during his visit to the CM’s residence for breakfast on Saturday.

Asked about the difference between the two meals, the chief minister said, "At his (Shivakumar’s) house it was non-veg, while at my house it was veg. He is a vegetarian, I am a non-vegetarian. I had not prepared non-veg. I told DK to get chicken from the village as you won’t get the original in Bengaluru."

Shivakumar said he had initially invited Siddaramaiah to his residence, but the CM had suggested visiting his place first and reciprocating later. "It was a vegetarian breakfast at the CM’s house on Saturday," he noted.

"Today, I invited him (the CM) to my house. He enjoyed the breakfast, which had his Mysuru taste," Shivakumar added. At this point, Siddaramaiah remarked that Shivakumar’s wife is also from Mysuru.

Saturday’s breakfast at Siddaramaiah’s official residence, held as part of efforts by the Congress high command to ease tensions in the leadership dispute between the two, reportedly included idlis and sambar, according to official sources.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
coastaldigest.com news network
December 2,2025

karkala.jpg

Udupi, Dec 2: A wave of regional pride is sweeping through Udupi district as Shagun S Verma Hegde, a talented Class 9 student from Christ King English Medium High School, Karkala, has been named the captain of the Indian National Team for the Under-15 Girls’ Volleyball Championship.

Shagun holds the unique distinction of being the sole player from Karnataka selected to represent the country in the prestigious international tournament. The championship, organized by the School Games Federation, is scheduled to take place in Shangluo, China, from December 3 to 13, where Shagun will lead the national squad.

A Remarkable Journey to the Top

Shagun’s selection is a testament to her dedication and exceptional skill on the court. Her journey included several rigorous rounds of selection:

•    She was the only player from Udupi district to qualify for the state-level selection camp.

•    Out of eight players from Karnataka who advanced to the national selection camp in Pune, Maharashtra, Shagun was the only one to secure a place in the final national squad.

•    The national camp saw participation from approximately 200 players, which was shortlisted to 23. Shagun not only made the final cut but was also ranked as the second-best player overall, solidifying her leadership role.

Shagun, who is the daughter of Sandesh Verma and Shruthiraj of Kallotte, Karkala, has trained under experienced coaches Santosh D’Souza, Jeevan D’Silva, Jairaj Poojary, and Ramesh. Her selection as the team captain has brought profound honour to her family, school, the Udupi district, and the entire state of Karnataka.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.