Mangaluru: Autorickshaw drivers in Mangaluru are facing an acute shortage of parking space as the number of autos in the city has nearly doubled in less than three years, while designated stands have failed to keep pace with the growing fleet.

Dakshina Kannada Auto Chalakara Sangha president Vishnumoorthy said the number of autorickshaws in the city has increased from around 5,000 after 2023 to more than 9,000 following the introduction of electric autos.

Auto stands disappear as fleet grows

Vishnumoorthy said around 328 autorickshaw stands had earlier been registered in the city. However, several of these stands have disappeared over the years, further aggravating the parking problem.

He said four or five autorickshaw stands around the old Central Market area had been removed. Other stands near Taj Mahal Hotel, City Centre, TMA Pai Hall and Lalbagh have also reportedly disappeared.

With fewer designated spaces available, drivers are increasingly forced to park their vehicles along roads in busy parts of the city.

According to Vishnumoorthy, stretches such as Bendoorwell-Jyothi, Balmatta-Kankanady and Rosario are facing the impact of the shortage. The problem extends from Kankanady through Hampankatta to State Bank and other busy areas, he said.

The association has been raising the issue for around four years and has sought dedicated autorickshaw bays wherever sufficient space is available.

Unused spaces could be developed

Vishnumoorthy also pointed to the lack of parking facilities in several older buildings in the city. He suggested that available spaces should be identified and systematically developed into designated autorickshaw parking areas.

He cited Nanthoor as one of the locations where space could be considered for developing an auto stand, provided proper entry and exit arrangements are made.

Prajesh, former president of Team Green City Auto Chalaka Malakara Sangha, said autorickshaw operators were struggling to find designated parking spaces and were consequently forced to park along roads.

The issue was raised by the auto union during the Prajaseva Andolana meeting held on Saturday.

MCC promises meeting on grievances

Mangaluru City Corporation Commissioner Rahul Ratnam Pandey said he would convene a meeting within a month to discuss the grievances raised by autorickshaw drivers.

The meeting is also expected to examine the removal of four autorickshaw stands around the old Central Market building.

Mangaluru South MLA D Vedavyas Kamath said the city has more than 7,000 autorickshaw drivers and that around 79 designated auto stands had been lost over the years.

Kamath said even the stands that continue to exist do not have adequate space to accommodate the growing number of autorickshaws. He urged the Regional Transport Office (RTO), police and MCC to hold a joint meeting and work towards a solution to the parking problem.

The growing number of autorickshaws, particularly following the introduction of electric autos, has added to the demand for designated parking areas. Auto unions have therefore sought a coordinated approach involving civic authorities, traffic police and the transport department.

Auto unions consider protest over fares

Meanwhile, the autorickshaw association has also raised concerns over the recently revised fares in Dakshina Kannada.

Vishnumoorthy said the association was yet to receive clarity on the fare revision despite repeated attempts to meet the Deputy Commissioner.

He said the association, along with taluk-level autorickshaw unions, was considering a district-wide strike or agitation next week over the revised fares. However, he clarified that no final decision had been taken on the proposed protest.

The parking shortage and fare-related concerns have added to the grievances of autorickshaw operators, who are seeking intervention from the district administration and civic authorities.