Auto-rickshaw drivers in Madikeri staged a protest on Friday, demanding restrictions on Rapido bike-taxi services and rental-bike operations in Kodagu district. Auto services were suspended for the day, and a memorandum was submitted to the district administration.
The protest march began at AV School and proceeded to the Deputy Commissioner’s office. It was led by Medappa, president of the Auto Owners and Drivers Association, and Veerendra Gowda, president of the Madikeri Tourist Car Owners and Drivers Association. Auto-rickshaw services remained suspended from morning until evening, leaving major stands-including those near the old private bus stand and General Thimayya Circle-largely deserted. The disruption caused inconvenience to members of the public, particularly on Friday, the weekly-market day. With the KSRTC and private bus stands some distance from the market, villagers and labourers often depend on autos to carry their purchases or travel to nearby villages. During the strike, some people were seen carrying their goods on their heads.
After the march, members of the two associations staged a demonstration outside the district administration office and jointly submitted their memorandum. The associations said more than 1,000 auto-rickshaws operate in Madikeri and that thousands of families depend on the auto and taxi trade for their livelihoods. They argued that the expansion of Rapido and rental-bike services threatened local drivers’ earnings. More than 100 two-wheelers are reportedly available for rent at outlets in Madikeri.
The memorandum also raised concerns about traffic safety. The protesters alleged that some tourists using rental bikes rode without helmets, carried three or four people on one bike, or performed dangerous stunts such as wheelies. They said such behaviour increased accident risks and created difficulties for other road users.
Calling on the authorities to protect local livelihood opportunities in a tourism-dependent district, the associations urged the Transport Department to address the difficulties faced by auto and taxi drivers, many of whom live in rented homes and rely on driving to support their families. They also demanded that privately registered motorcycles with white number plates not be allowed to operate through services such as Rapido, and called for restrictions on rental-bike and bike-taxi operations in Kodagu.
The protesters warned that they would intensify their agitation if their demands were not addressed. Hundreds of drivers participated, including Dinesh Shetty, Barana Dinesh and Sammad from the Auto Owners and Drivers Association, and Santhosh Cariappa, Ganesh and Madhu Tekkade from the Car Owners and Drivers Association.
Join our WhatsApp Group for News and Article Alerts
