Passengers outside Rourkela station. Picture by Uttam Kumar Pal

Rourkela, Aug. 19: The decision of the railway authorities here to collect parking fees from vehicles has irked commuters frequenting the station.

Those who come just to pick up or drop their friends and relatives and stay for not more than a few minutes in the station area are particularly peeved with the railway authorities for imposing parking fee on them.

Railway officials have auctioned the parking lot to a private operator, who collects fees from vehicles as they enter the station area. While four-wheelers have to cough up Rs 15, three-wheelers pay Rs 10 and two-wheelers Rs 3 to park their vehicles for a period of 12 hours. However, stationmaster G.B. Mohapatra said that according to the agreement, those parking their vehicles for less than 10 minutes would not have to pay any fee. The private operator has been accused of violating this clause and collecting fees from everyone.

Railway officials, however, said the parking fee was being collected to augment revenue and the amount would be spent on development work.

“If they want to collect fees for parking, they must do it from those who park their vehicles for long hours. Someone entering the station area to drop or pick up a passenger should not be asked to pay,” said Sambit Padhee, a local resident.

A group of commuters led by former MLA Prabhat Mohapatra went to meet the stationmaster and discussed the issue with him.

“The decision is not people-friendly and it affects a large number of people. They should know that the majority of people who come to the railway station come here only to drop or pick up someone. Besides, there is a temple inside the complex where many people come to worship and these devotees have to pay now,” said Mohapatra.

The new parking lot has been auctioned for Rs 7.8 lakh and the private bidder has paid Rs one lakh as security.

Stationmaster G.B. Mohapatra, however, said no one had raised objections when the authorities had auctioned off the area. However, he said that according to the agreement, those parking their vehicles for less than 10 minutes would not have to pay any fee.

“People should co-operate with us. Parking fees are collected to ensure that vehicles are parked properly and are guarded. If anyone has any complaints, they can give it to us in writing and I will take up the matter with our higher officials,” he said.