MARGAO: Following public outcry over the termination of the previous pay-parking contract, the Konkan Railway Corporation (KRC) has initiated the process of re-tendering the contract, with assurances that no entry fee will be imposed for vehicles.
Baban Ghatge, Senior Public Relations Officer at KRC, told O Heraldo that the previous contractor was terminated due to failure to pay the licence fee installment.
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In response, citizens expressed satisfaction with the decision, urging KRC to refrain from imposing additional fees on passengers and instead focus on enhancing facilities.
Controversy erupted over the pay-parking system at Margao railway station when the contractor was found charging entry fees from vehicles merely dropping off passengers, rather than staying for the designated maximum time of 10 minutes.
Margao citizens had gathered at the site in protest, and condemned the scheme, accusing the contractor of looting passengers.
Ghatge clarified that the contract was terminated due to the contractor’s failure to meet quarterly licence fee payments. Meanwhile, KRC has temporarily appointed a contractor to collect fees from vehicles parked beyond the allotted time, while also undergoing the tendering process.
He further said that presently KRC has nominated one contractor purely on a temporary basis for the period of one month to collect the fees from those parking their vehicles beyond the given time.
Reacting to the issue, Custodio Dias, a citizen, said that KRC should keep strict vigil on those involved in illegally collecting money in the name of parking fees.
“There is an urgent need that the KRC focuses more on providing better infrastructure and services to the passengers. The harassment in the name of parking fee needs to be stopped”, he demanded.
Presently, vehicles entering solely to drop off or pick up passengers are exempted from fees.
