HUBLI: Majority of the autorickshaws in twin cities remained off the roads on Thursday till 5 p.m., owing to the one-day "Autorickshaw Bandh" called by the Dharwad District Autorickshaw Drivers Union.

However, since the Hubli Autorickshaw Drivers and Owners Association withdrew its support to the bandh call at the last minute, some autorickshaws were seen plying on the roads of Hubli.

The union had called the bandh in protest against the frequent increase in vehicle insurance premium, hefty charges for fare-meter repair and to press for its various demands, including allotting of autorickshaw stands in new layouts.

Memoranda submitted

As part of the bandh, autorickshaw drivers and owners took out protest marches in Hubli and Dharwad and submitted memoranda to the Deputy Commissioner and the Police Commissioner through the tahsildar.

In Hubli, the protest march began from A.J. Mudhol Bhavan in Mydar Oni and after passing through the thoroughfares of the city, the protesters converged at Indira Glass House to conduct a public meeting.

Protest march

In Dharwad, the protest march began from the Kadapa Maidan and concluded at the Deputy Commissioner's office.

There are around 10,000 autorickshaws in the twin cities making Hubli-Dharwad the second city in the State with the highest number of autorickshaws.

Because of the bandh, people from other areas and school students were put to hardship.

The Hubli-Dharwad Maxicab Association had extended its support to the bandh and urged the authorities concerned to take remedial steps immediately.

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