Autorickshaw unions in Dakshina Kannada district on Thursday urged the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) to revise fares upwards, from ₹35 to ₹50 as the minimum fare for the first 1.5 km and from ₹17 to ₹30 for every subsequent kilometre, in view of the steep increase in input costs, including fuel, since the last revision in 2022.
Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner and RTA Chairman H.V. Darshan convened a meeting to hear the demands of autorickshaw drivers for a fare revision.
Arun Kumar of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike-affiliated Auto Drivers’ Association said the upward revision was necessary in view of the steep increase in the prices of LPG, CNG, petrol and diesel over the past four years, as well as other inputs. He also demanded that the free waiting time be reduced from the present 15 minutes to 10 minutes.
Dakshina Kannada Auto Drivers’ Association president Vishnumurthy also suggested limiting the free waiting period to 10 minutes and increasing the waiting charge to ₹5 per minute.
Mr. Darshan said a suitable decision would be taken after a scientific study of the demands. | Photo Credit: H.S. MANJUNATH
Ganesh R. Shaktinagar of the Karnataka Drivers’ Union demanded the introduction of separate fare structures for urban and rural areas. This would prevent autorickshaws registered in rural areas from operating in Mangaluru city, thereby protecting the interests of city-based operators. He also demanded that more CNG filling stations be established in the city.
Social Democratic Trade Union leader Rahiman Boliyar said rising fuel prices had severely affected the livelihood of autorickshaw drivers. He urged the state government to extend financial assistance, similar to the relief provided during the Covid-19 pandemic, citing the recent increase in fuel prices triggered by the West Asia crisis.
Fare meters should be calibrated in the city instead of Kulshekar after the revision, said Dakshina Kannada Auto Owners’ and Drivers’ Union president Bharath Kumar. Vehicles lining up for calibration would further aggravate traffic congestion in the locality, he said. He alleged discrepancies in fuel dispensing at some CNG and LPG stations. Mr. Darshan said surprise inspections would be conducted if specific complaints were made.
Social activist G. Hanumanth Kamath speaks at the meeting in Mangaluru on Thursday. | Photo Credit: H.S. MANJUNATH
Seeking a fare revision commensurate with the increase in input costs, social activist G. Hanumanth Kamath demanded that the process be put off for a couple of months in view of the expected reduction in fuel prices.
Mr. Darshan said LPG prices had risen from ₹62.36 per kg in 2022 to ₹86.76 at present; CNG from ₹76 to ₹95 per kg; petrol from ₹101 to ₹110 per litre; and diesel from ₹87.41 to ₹98 per litre. A suitable decision would be taken after a scientific study into the demands, he added.
Superintendent of Police K. Arun, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime and Traffic) K. Ravi Shankar and Senior RTO Murugendra B. Shirolkar were present.
Published - July 09, 2026 06:37 pm IST