Mumbai: Central Railway to have parking plan like the one at airport

Experts say the facility will provide safety to passengers in railway station premises. Representation pic

Will a new plan to have access-controlled parking at railway stations on the lines of the airport work? The Central Railway, for the first time, has outlined details and begun the airport-type access control parking at Kurla LTT to start with, for three years. The station has been chosen due to availability of open space. Access control parking will ensure that only vehicle owners/drivers who have paid for parking, can enter the premises.

"The provision of unique smart parking-cum-access control rights unified system at overcrowded stations like LTT in the Mumbai division, will provide flexibility to passengers in terms of pick up and drop facility, as well as vehicle parking at the station," said Central Railway Chief Public Relations Officer Shivaji Sutar.

"The facility of free pickup/drop for the first five minutes, will reduce the transit time of entry/exit of the passengers. It will also help in curbing unauthorized parking, encroachment of space by autos, taxis, etc. thereby loss of revenue too," he added.

He said that it will not be mandatory, but an additional service which is safe and secure. Other options of a regular pay and park site at the station will also be available. At LTT, 3,192.99 sqm has also been allotted for regular parking.

Expert speak

"This is a good beginning but there should be an integrated station area access management system to consider parking of buses, taxis and autos along with this, with clear signboards to direct passengers to their preferred mode of transport. It should not be limited only to private cars and Uber/Ola," said AV Shenoy, senior transport expert with Mumbai Mobility Forum & Mumbai Vikas Samiti.

"Railways improved passenger facilities in past few years. This will provide safety to passengers in Railway station premises. As per suggestions given by a passenger organisation, Metro like entry and exit in stations will help curb ticketless passengers, reduce manpower of TCs, increase revenue and actual data of footfall," said Siddhesh Desai, vice-president of the Mumbai Rail Pravasi Sangh (MRPS). one of the oldest and biggest passenger associations.