Mangaluru: Days after the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) commenced toll collection at Arikkady near Kumbala in Kasaragod district, the KSRTC Mangaluru division has increased bus fares on the Mangaluru–Kasaragod route. The fare revision affects both ordinary and Rajahamsa services and comes amid mounting opposition to the second toll gate on the busy NH-66 stretch connecting coastal Karnataka and north Kerala.
Fare hike to offset rising toll expenses
The KSRTC Mangaluru division increased fares for ordinary services by Rs 7 and for Rajahamsa services by Rs 10. With the revision, the bus fare from Mangaluru to Kasaragod has gone up from Rs 81 to Rs 88. KSRTC officials stated that the decision was taken to compensate for financial losses incurred due to the additional toll imposed at Arikkady.
According to officials, KSRTC is facing a daily loss of nearly Rs 50,000 following the introduction of the second toll booth on the approximately 50-km stretch between Mangaluru and Kasaragod. The additional toll burden has significantly increased operational costs for the state-run transport corporation.
Kerala RTC yet to take a call
While KSRTC has implemented the fare hike, the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC–Kerala) is yet to decide whether it will revise fares on the same route. Officials from the Kerala transport corporation indicated that discussions were ongoing and a decision would be taken after reviewing the financial impact of the additional toll.
Passengers commuting regularly between Mangaluru and Kasaragod expressed concern over the rising travel costs, noting that the route is frequently used by students, daily wage workers and traders.
Protest against second toll gate intensifies
Meanwhile, protests against the second toll gate on NH-66 between Mangaluru and Kasaragod continued in Kasaragod district. On Monday, a protest march was organised by various women’s organisations under the banner of the Action Committee Against Toll Gate.
Participants raised slogans condemning what they described as an unjust and excessive toll at the Arikkady toll plaza near Kumbala. Protesters alleged that imposing two toll gates within a short distance was unfair and placed an undue financial burden on local residents and frequent commuters.
Action committee vows to continue agitation
Action Committee chairman and Manjeshwar MLA AKM Ashraf said that the agitation against the toll plaza was intensifying. He pointed out that the toll gates at Talapady and Arikkady were located within a distance of just about 22 km, which violated the spirit of fair toll collection.
Ashraf stated that the action committee would continue its protests until the Arikkady toll plaza was closed. He also urged the Union government and NHAI to reconsider the decision in the interest of the public.
Toll details on Mangaluru–Kasaragod stretch
Earlier, vehicles travelling on the Mangaluru–Kasaragod route paid toll only at the Talapady toll gate. The toll for light motor vehicles (LMVs) at Talapady was Rs 80 for a same-day return journey. For buses and trucks, the toll charge at Talapady was Rs 250 for a same-day return.
With the opening of the Arikkady toll gate, LMVs are now charged Rs 130 for a same-day return, while buses are required to pay Rs 450. Transport operators have argued that the combined toll amount has sharply increased travel costs and affected the viability of public transport services.
Conclusion
The fare hike by KSRTC reflects the immediate financial impact of the second toll gate on public transport services operating along the Mangaluru–Kasaragod corridor. As protests against the Arikkady toll plaza continue to gain momentum, commuters and transport operators alike await a resolution that balances infrastructure costs with public convenience.’