On Saturday, a delegation from the Dakshina Karnataka District Online Taxi Drivers' Association gathered at the airport to present a petition demanding an end to the Rs. 50 charge imposed on cab operators when they drop passengers at Mangaluru International Airport.
The representatives met in person with the District Collector, the Mangaluru City Police Commissioner, officials from Bajpe Police Station and the airport authority. During the discussion they highlighted the routine obstruction, harassment and fines that drivers endure while operating inside the airport premises.
According to the petition, the Rs. 50 fee should be abolished immediately. The association also called for a uniform set of rules that apply to all commercial vehicles, without extra regulations that target only taxi drivers. It urged the authorities to stop any unnecessary impediment or punitive action against drivers during passenger drop‑offs.
Further, the document stresses that any new regulation or fee affecting drivers must be discussed with union representatives before implementation, ensuring that the concerns of the drivers are taken into account.
The association warned that failure to address these demands promptly could trigger a “intense struggle” involving protests and other actions in the next phase, aimed at safeguarding the welfare of the taxi community.
Officials have not yet issued a formal response, but the meeting marks a concerted effort by the drivers to seek equitable treatment and remove financial burdens that they say hinder their livelihood at the airport.
Image: varthabharati.in
📰 Source: Vartha Bharati DK