Parking fee extortion has to be stopped

A minimum fee can be charged for parking vehicles on railway land. However, extortion in the name of that is unfair. Parking centres are run by private contractors who are contracted by the railways. In many cases, they charge more than the amount stated in the contract from those parking their vehicles. Before parking the vehicle, the contract workers usually tell them that the fee will increase by the hour, and when they return, they charge double the amount legally required. Moreover, there are no boards displaying the rates and conditions for cars and scooters at the parking centres. The railways have been following the practice of leaving the entire responsibility to the private contractors and washing their hands after getting paid for the contract.

The sudden increase in vehicle parking rates at some railway parking lots from June 1 has led to huge protests from passengers and youth organizations. Some parking lots charge Rs 30 and above for parking a two-wheeler for 12 hours. There is also a practice of collecting advance fees based on the time of pick-up. Cars are charged Rs 70-80 under the new rate. Additional fees will be charged after 12 hours. There are also some parking lots that have increased the seasonal rate of Rs 200 per month for two-wheelers to Rs 600.

Government employees and employees of private institutions who travel regularly by train are the most vulnerable to this fee loot. Although the fee has been increased, no adequate facilities are being provided at the parking centres. The roofs of many parking centres are in a dilapidated state. In some places, there is not even a roof. In some places, anti-social elements are stealing petrol from two-wheelers. Passengers complain that they are receiving help from contractors for this. In many places, the parking fee is higher than the season ticket. There have also been complaints that the fee increase is not uniform. The parking fee has been increased more than twice in the railway stations of the Thiruvananthapuram division now.

There has been widespread protest in the community against the railway's action of sharply increasing parking fees. The Divisional Railway Commercial Manager was blockaded by the DYFI Thiruvananthapuram District Committee. The Kazhakoottam Railway Development Action Council has informed that the amount charged at Kazhakoottam Railway Station is higher than that at the A category Thiruvananthapuram Central Station and that it will go on strike if this is not withdrawn. The Southern Railway authorities should be prepared to immediately review the parking fee increase. Along with reviewing the rates, steps should be taken to install display boards exhibiting the new rates at the parking centres.