Mangaluru: The ongoing permit dispute between e-autorickshaw operators and petrol and diesel autorickshaw owners and drivers in Dakshina Kannada has intensified, with both sides trading sharp remarks after the government made permits mandatory for all categories of three-wheelers. The controversy has brought to the fore concerns over livelihood security, changing regulations and the rapid growth of electric autorickshaws in Mangaluru city.
The issue escalated following an order by the district administration mandating permits for e-autorickshaws operating within specified zones. While conventional autorickshaw unions have welcomed the move, e-autorickshaw operators have raised strong objections to certain conditions imposed under the new framework.
E-autorickshaw union welcomes permit order, opposes residency rule
Team Green City Autorickshaw Drivers and Owners Union president Prajesh KJ said the forum welcomed the deputy commissioner’s order making permits compulsory for electric autorickshaws. However, he strongly opposed the requirement that drivers must furnish a certificate proving residence in Mangaluru for the past five years.
“The condition of submitting a five-year residence certificate is not appropriate. Electric autorickshaws should be allowed to operate freely across the entire district,” Prajesh told reporters on Tuesday.
He pointed out that until recently, e-autorickshaws were permitted to operate freely across Dakshina Kannada district. Encouraged by this policy, many drivers sold their old petrol or diesel autorickshaws and took bank loans to purchase new electric vehicles.
Frequent policy changes worry drivers with bank loans
Prajesh said the sudden introduction of zoning restrictions for e-autorickshaws has caused severe anxiety among drivers who are already burdened with loan repayments.
“If rules keep changing every six months, it will become impossible for us to repay our bank loans. Many drivers invested in e-autorickshaws believing that they would be allowed to operate freely throughout the district,” he said.
He urged the district administration to extend the same operational freedom to e-autorickshaws that existed earlier, warning that inconsistent policies could push drivers into financial distress.
Residency certificate requirement termed impractical
The union also highlighted practical difficulties faced by e-autorickshaw drivers in meeting the residency requirement. Prajesh said most e-autorickshaw drivers in the city have been living in rented houses for the past 10 to 15 years.
“In many cases, their voter identity cards and ration cards are registered in their native places, not in Mangaluru. This makes it extremely difficult for them to obtain a residence certificate in the city,” he explained.
He added that the permit restrictions are disproportionately affecting economically weaker sections who depend solely on e-autorickshaw driving for their livelihood.
Demand to apply one-permit rule uniformly
Another key demand raised by the Team Green City Autorickshaw Drivers and Owners Union was that the restriction of one permit per person, currently applicable to e-autorickshaws, should be extended to all categories of autorickshaws.
“If one-permit-per-person is considered necessary, then it should apply uniformly to petrol, diesel and electric autorickshaws. Singling out e-autorickshaws is unfair,” Prajesh said.
Conventional auto unions seek strict implementation
Meanwhile, the Dakshina Kannada District Auto Rickshaw Drivers and Owners Federation has called for the immediate implementation of the district administration’s order issued on December 6, 2025, regulating e-autorickshaws.
Federation president Bharath Kumar said the unchecked increase in the number of e-autorickshaws in Mangaluru city has negatively affected the earnings of conventional autorickshaw drivers.
“The growing number of e-autorickshaws is detrimental to other autorickshaw drivers. We requested the district administration to curb this trend, following which an order was issued,” he told reporters.
Delay in enforcement criticised
Bharath Kumar alleged that despite the issuance of the order, both the transport department and the police have delayed its enforcement.
“The order exists on paper, but there is no action on the ground. The delay in implementation is adding to the frustration of petrol and diesel autorickshaw drivers who are already struggling,” he said.
The federation reiterated its demand for strict enforcement of the permit system to ensure what it described as a “level playing field” for all categories of autorickshaw operators.
RTO guidelines and zoning restrictions
As per guidelines issued following a High Court order, district authorities have decided to impose restrictions to control vehicular traffic in Mangaluru city. Under these norms, e-autorickshaws registered between January 20, 2022, and October 30, 2025, and operating in zone-1, which covers Mangaluru city, must obtain permits from the Regional Transport Authority if they do not already have one.
In addition, e-autorickshaws operating within zone-1 are required to comply with specific identification measures.
Colour coding and police identification mandated
According to the new rules, e-autorickshaw permit holders operating in zone-1 must paint their vehicles sky blue. They are also required to obtain an identification number from the police department to enable easier monitoring and enforcement.
Officials said these measures are aimed at regulating traffic, preventing unauthorised operations and distinguishing permitted vehicles from those operating illegally.
Conclusion
The permit dispute has exposed deep divisions within the autorickshaw sector in Mangaluru, with electric vehicle operators seeking flexibility and conventional drivers demanding stricter controls. As the district administration attempts to balance traffic regulation with livelihood concerns, both sides have urged authorities to take a clear and consistent stand. With livelihoods at stake and enforcement yet to be fully implemented, the issue is expected to remain a contentious one in the days ahead.