Thu Feb 13 07:40:05 UTC 2025: ## Udupi Autorickshaw Drivers Protest New Zone Restrictions
**Udupi, Karnataka – February 13, 2025** – Autorickshaw drivers and owners in Udupi are protesting new zoning restrictions that prevent vehicles from certain areas from entering the city. Representatives from seven unions voiced their concerns at a meeting with the City Municipal Council (CMC) on February 12th.
The main complaint centers on the penalty imposed on autorickshaws from rural areas entering Udupi city, even in emergency situations. Shivanand Moodabettu, a union representative, argued that these vehicles are within the Udupi urban agglomeration and shouldn’t be penalized.
Gopalakrishna Shetty highlighted the shortage of authorized parking spaces. While the number of autorickshaws has tripled since 2000, the number of parking lots has not kept pace, with 20 out of 60 current lots being unauthorized. He cited figures showing 3,395 autorickshaws in Zone 1 and 3,643 in Zone 2.
MLA Yashpal Suvarna assured the drivers that the city administration would find a solution that benefits both the public and the drivers, urging everyone to comply with the final decision. The meeting was attended by CMC President Prabhakar Poojary and Municipal Commissioner Uday Kumar Shetty. The situation underscores the need for better coordination and management of the autorickshaw system in Udupi.
First Piper 