Demand to bring down parking fees at City Railway Station

Mysuru: The Central Government has taken several initiatives to make the Railways passenger-friendly besides taking up several development works, said Divisional Commercial Manager, South Western Railway S. Yashod Kumar and Divisional Manager (Operations), SWR Aijaz Ahmed.

They were interacting with the members of the Mysore Grahakara Parishat (MGP) on Railway issues, at its monthly meeting, at its premises in Yadavagiri, here on Sunday. The Centre has chalked out enough programmes and focused on cleanliness, following strict timings of departures and arrivals and green zone.

A member asked about the docking of passenger trains in Railway Goods Shed near Metagalli, free battery operated vehicle facility for senior citizens and the confusion in two-wheeler parking fees in the Railway Station.

Reacting to this, the officials said that there is already pressure from the passengers to bring down the parking fee. This issue has to be discussed with the Railway Board and then a decision has to be taken. Hence it will be brought to the notice of the higher officials, they said.

Regarding docking yard for more trains, they said that there was shortage of space and hence it was not possible to run more trains. Added to this the timings for the already announced trains are also causing problems, they said.

Stop sale of Maddur Vada: A member brought to the notice of the officials the unofficial sale of Maddur Vada and other eatables. The Railway authorities must put an end to such practise of selling spurious items, demanded the member.

Bring down parking fees: Another member brought up the considerable hike in parking fees, which is now more than the cost of Railway ticket. Additional fees is being charged for helmets also. The officials should look into this issue seriously, he suggested.

MGP Working President Dr. S. Shobana, Usha Narang, Dr. Renu Agarwal, M.M. Hanumanthaiah, P. M. Bhat, A. Nagarajan, C.R. Ashwathnarayan, Gangaprasad, Mahendra Babu, Maj. General S.G. Vombatkere (Retd.), K.S. Narasimhamurthy, Raghavendra, S.V.R. Shafi Ahmed, K.G. Thimappa,  Bhamy V. Shenoy, Prof. S. Dwarki, and others were present at the meeting.

MGP’s suggestions

1. Development of Chamarajapuram Railway Station and broadening of the Station.
2. Running of Chennai – Mysuru (Train No. 12609/10) train through Bengaluru, Mysuru, Kannur and Karwar.
3. To run the Bengaluru-Kacheguda (12785/86) superfast express train and provide bus facilities accordingly.
4. To connect Basava Express, Mysuru-Dharwad Express train to Chamarajanagar and to take other development works including good rail connectivity.