Protests erupt over parking fee hike at Tatanagar station

JAMSHEDPUR: A steep hike in parking fees at Tatanagar railway station has triggered widespread outrage, with commuters, political leaders, and trade bodies slamming the move as “arbitrary, excessive, and unjustified”.

- Debashish Sarkar

As per the new parking fee rates displayed at the Tatanagar station main gate and Burmamines gate, the fees for the general public and auto-rickshaws have been doubled, while the monthly parking fee for railway employees has been increased fivefold. According to the displayed charts at the main gate by In-On Construction Pvt Ltd from July 6, the parking fee for cycles will be ₹6 for 2 hours, ₹12 for 2-6 hours, ₹18 for 6-12 hours, ₹18 for 12-24 hours, and ₹24 per day after 24 hours. The monthly fee will be ₹354.

Similarly, for two-wheelers, the fee is now ₹12 for 2 hours and 2-6 hours, ₹36 for 6-12 hours, ₹48 for 12-24 hours, ₹48 per day after 24 hours, and a monthly fee of ₹708. For three-wheelers, it is ₹36 for 2 hours and 2-6 hours, ₹71 for 6-12 hours, ₹95 for 12-24 hours, ₹95 per day after 24 hours, and a monthly fee of ₹1,416. For four-wheelers, it is now ₹48 for 2 hours and 2-6 hours, ₹95 for 6-12 and 12-24 hours, ₹95 per day after 24 hours, and monthly fee of ₹1,770.

At the Burmamines gate, the new rates are: motorcycles ₹12 for 2 hours; autos ₹36 for 6 hours; four-wheelers ₹48 for up to 6 hours, ₹72 for 6-12 hours, and ₹96 for 12-24 hours. The parking contract for the Burma-mines Gate was handed over to Logic Technology Pvt Ltd on June 20.