With the Kochi metro operations gradually falling into the groove, metro authorities are turning their attention to the issue of parking at metro stations.
While over a lakh passengers boarded metro trains in the first three days, absence of adequate parking space at metro stations remains an area of concern. The space allocated for parking had proved to be far too limited, especially during peak hours when passengers throng stations.
Multiple plans, including multi-layered parking facilities alongside metro stations in association with private parties and using vacant spaces near stations to be used for pay-and-park facilities, are being considered.
Rather limited parking space is now available at metro stations with Kalamassery and Edappally stations being the most spacious.
While the parking lot of Kalamassery station can accommodate 121 four-wheelers and 177 two-wheelers, 83 cars and 155 two-wheelers can be parked at Edappally station.
Aluva station can accommodate 71 cars and 90 two-wheelers, Cusat station 48 cars and 81 two-wheelers, and Palarivattom station can accommodate only 16 cars and 40 two-wheelers.
There is no parking space at all at Companypady while the rest of the stations mostly have space for parking only two-wheelers.
Two different fares have been announced for those travelling on normal tickets, and those using Kochi 1 smart cards. The latter can avail of a discount of 20%.
Four-wheeler owners will have to pay ₹30 for the first two hours while the fee is ₹24 for card users. The respective figures for two-wheeler users are ₹15 and ₹12.
For every extra hour after that the fares are ₹15 and ₹12 respectively for cars and ₹5 and ₹4 for two-wheelers. The fare for 24-hour parking is ₹250 and ₹200 for four-wheelers, and ₹100 and ₹80 for two-wheelers.
Bicycles can be parked for free for the first 12 hours after which ₹10 will be charged for the rest of the day.
Vehicles removed
After being lenient for the first couple of days since the launch of the metro, Ernakulam Rural Police have started acting tough against people who haphazardly park vehicles in their excitement to board metro trains.
Aluva traffic police alone took action against 25 such vehicles on Wednesday from near the Aluva metro station, private bus stand, market, and areas near Seemas textiles after they were found holding up traffic and blocking the way of pedestrians. The vehicles were removed using recovery vans.
The action was taken on the orders of Rural SP A.V. George who has warned of similar stern measure against illegal parking in the coming days as well.
