Southern Railways to roof parking lots, finally
Recently, parking fees at the railway stations were hiked by up to 18 per cent following the introduction of Goods and Services Tax.
Kochi: The Southern Railway has finally taken steps to provide roof covers at parking lots in main stations in the division like Ernakulam South, a long-pending demand of commuters who had complained of their vehicles being kept in open spaces and being exposed to rains and sunlight. A direction to set up temporary roofs has been issued to Kudumbashree Mission, which is now entrusted with te hmanagement of parking lots in all stations of the Thiruvananthapuram division for the next three years.
“We've been asked to build temporary roofs at parking yards. We'll soon hold talks with chief commercial manager on priority stations and other related issues," said Tannie Thomas, Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Mission, Ernakulam. “Temporary shelters will be provided instead of a permanent structure that will affect the aesthetic view of stations. We’re in the process of carrying out beautification works at major stations,” said a senior railway officer. Apart from a small shed at the Thiruvananthapuram Central station, no other stations have platform yards with shelter.
This has led to passengers complaining about their vehicles getting easily corroded by exposure to rains. Heavy dust is another worry for office-goers who park their vehicles at railway stations and then go to work places in trains. “We’re now forced to dole out '20 for parking bike during day instead of Rs 13 earlier. This even as there is no roof at the parking lots. The vehicles get easily damaged besides getting dusty by evening,” said R. D Manikandan of Edapally Railway Passengers Association. Recently, parking fees at the railway stations were hiked by up to 18 per cent following the introduction of Goods and Services Tax.