Karwar: The Bhatkal Taxi Drivers and Owners Union has strongly objected to attempts by IRB officials to remove the taxi stand in Bhatkal in the name of National Highway widening without providing any alternative arrangement.
The union submitted memorandums to the District Police Superintendent Deepan M.N. and Deputy Commissioner Lakshmi Priya in Karwar and later addressed the media at the Karwar Press Club, placing their demands before the authorities.
Addressing the press conference, Union President Ganesh Devadiga said that the taxi stand has been functioning near the Bhatkal bus stand for the past 40 years. However, under the pretext of highway expansion, officials are now suddenly directing taxi drivers to vacate the space. He made it clear that the union would not vacate the taxi stand unless a suitable alternative location is officially allotted. He added that representations have already been submitted to the Deputy Commissioner and other concerned authorities, but no concrete action has been taken so far.
Union General Secretary Jagdish Naik alleged that several auto-rickshaws in Bhatkal are violating regulations by operating far beyond the permitted limit, travelling to distant places such as Kundapur, Udupi and Sigandur, even though the authorised operating radius for autos is only 7 kilometres. He further stated that more than 200 private vehicles are being illegally used to transport passengers on a rental basis. In addition, unauthorised private buses are operating between Udupi and Mangaluru. Due to this unchecked situation, authorised taxi drivers are facing severe financial difficulties, he said.
Union Vice President Mohammed Mushtaq pointed out that white-board vehicles with private registration numbers are being used for long-distance travel, which is illegal and also deprives passengers of insurance coverage in case of accidents. He noted that the movement of such vehicles increases significantly during the Sirsi fair and warned that the union would stage protests against this practice.
In the memorandums submitted to the authorities, the union demanded strict action against auto-rickshaws, private vehicles and out-of-state registered buses operating in violation of rules in Bhatkal. District Police Superintendent Deepan M.N. assured the union that appropriate action would be taken. Deputy Commissioner Lakshmi Priya stated that she would personally visit Bhatkal, inspect the site and take a suitable decision based on the ground situation.
Several union members, including Syed Faisal, Ramesh Naik, Adnan, Gajanand Devadiga, Raghu Shet, Mohammed Salim, Abdul Bari and Mohammed Salman, were present on the occasion.