Pune: Mayank Sah, a Kothrud resident, faced a trying time moving out of the parking lot of the Pune railway station last week. He had gone to the station to pick up his uncle who arrived on the Danapur Express but had to wait for at least 40 minutes before he could drive out of the station. “The problem I faced was mainly due to haphazard parking of vehicles , but the parking in-charge just didn’t care,” he said.
Ill-maintained parking lots have posed a problem for visitors to the railway station. But there’s hardly any relief in sight as the current contract of the contractor , responsible for managing the parking lot, will end in September next year. “We have instructed the contractor to maintain proper parking lanes and not allow parking of vehicles in a haphazard manner.
The existing contract was awarded for a period of three years through e-auction system. A new contract will be awarded with a modern system as per railway board guidelines once the current contract ends in September next year,” Ram Paul Bagpagga, public relations officer, Pune rail division, told TOI. Sandesh Gunde, who had parked his two-wheeler recently in the parking lot, said that his vehicle suffered several scratches.
“The two-wheeler parking space at the main entrance of the railway station is in a mess. The vehicles are parked so haphazardly that it becomes impossible to park or to get the vehicle out. Those in charge just push and pull the parked two-wheelers in order to make space.
” “Proper marking for lane arrangement will be done at the earliest. Previously, marking for lane arrangements was done but due to heavy rainfall, the same has become invisible,” Bagpagga said. Another railway official said that checks take place as to whether rules are being followed at the parking lot.
“There have been complaints about contractors overcharging, being rude to people. Action is taken against them. This year, the contractor was slapped with a fine of Rs 10,000.
Last year, too, panelties were imposed on them for various offences based on complaints and investigations. The most common complaints pertain to overcharging, parking boards not visible, and rude behaviour. By September next year, there will be a modern parking system with boom barriers and other facilities introduced,” the official said.
Neeraj Thakur, who commutes by train regularly, said that the parking arrangement at the second entry of the station, towards RBM Road, was okay. “There is a huge space and parking of two-wheelers is easy there. But more people arrive at the station from the main entrance and the whole area is in a mess.
Pune station is into its 100th year and the front portico should have been revamped by now. In the evening, it looks like a chaotic and crammed market,” the Shivajinagar resident said. Meanwhile, the recently started pre-paid auto booth has not been getting the responses.
Keshav Kshirsagar, president, Baghtoy Rickshwaala auto union, said, “We cater to around 100-150 passengers daily. We have had talks with railway officials and finalised a few points where direction boards can be installed. These boards will be set up without any delay.
” The booth started operation on July 27..
