Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (EP)

Mangaluru, Dec 19: Tulunada Rakshana Vedike held protests in front of the office of deputy commissioner on Monday December 18 urging permission for autos with rural permits to ply in the city in some exceptional circumstances.  

“Thokkottu, Ullal, Deralakatte, Someshwar, Kotekar, Kuthar, Konaje, Mudipu, Bolyar, B C Road, Farangipete, Olachil, Vamanjoor, Mangaljyothi, Neerumarga and Kalpane are closer to Mangaluru city. The areas have as much population as in the corporation limits. More than 15,000 auto-rickshaws are plying in Mangaluru Vidhana Sabha constituency. The people depend on Mangaluru city for their primary shopping, medical facilities, schools and colleges. The urban and rural areas were bifurcated for auto-rickshaws in the presence of the regional transport officer with the condition that rural autos can bring passengers to the city but they cannot park their vehicles in the stands for hire.”

“However these days sometimes the police have stopped the rural autos even while bringing patients from Thokkottu and registered police cases. If we explain the rule, they ask us to give that in writing. The officials during discussions by our auto drivers have opined that the point can be included in the RTO meeting in the notification.” 

“If the points are not mentioned in the form of the order, the drivers will get caught in the nets of police and officials and their earnings will have to be spent on fines besides experiencing mental agony. It is inevitable to bring the vehicles in emergencies such as for RTO work and to fill gas. We do not know what answer we can give to the people.” 

“Therefore, we request you to declare the entire area except Mangaluru city as rural area. We urge you to bring an amendment in the law to solve the problem,” they stated.