MARGAO: The Konkan Railway Corporation Limited is poised to reintroduce a parking fee scheme at its Margao station, a move that previously stirred controversy.
“Under this scheme, vehicle owners parking for more than 10 minutes will be charged,” said Baban Ghatge, a senior officer at KRC and disclosed that it would be implemented once the necessary system is in place.
Despite past disputes, the corporation remains committed to enforcing the parking fee, emphasizing its role in improving station operations and facilities.
The fee structure has been carefully delineated for parking within the station premises, with two-wheelers incurring a charge of Rs 10, four-wheelers at Rs 20, and minivans at Rs 50 for up to six hours.
“This approach aims to regulate parking spaces and alleviate congestion, ensuring a smoother experience for both commuters and station operations,” said Ghatge.
The pay and park scheme at the Konkan Railway station ran into a controversy when one of the contractors implementing the initiative was caught charging vehicles upon entry.
The incident stirred public outcry as citizens strongly opposed the practice, considering it unjust and contrary to the intended structure of the pay parking system.
In response to the widespread opposition, the management of Konkan Railways was compelled to halt the implementation of the pay parking scheme.
“We have almost completed the process of bringing the new system in place and hence charging the vehicle for parking more than scheduled time will be implemented,” said Ghatge.
The introduction of the pay-parking system at the Konkan Railway station is a response to several factors, including the presence of cargo tempos causing congestion within the premises.
Uncertainty regarding parking durations and challenges associated with unregulated two-wheeler parking have further necessitated the implementation of a more structured system.
