The train Ramesh takes every morning at the Velachery MRTS station will arrive soon. He has to hurry; and he makes a dash towards the unauthorised parking lot on the northern side of the station, only to be stopped by barricades and a board that sends out a clear message. “No parking,” it says.
There is however solution close at hand for the software engineer who works in an establishment in Taramani. On the same northern side, an authorised parking lot has come up. Ramesh leaves his motorcycle there, with the comforting knowledge that the machine is now safer than ever before.
The establishment of an authorised parking is great news for MRTS commuters from Moovarasampet, Madipakkam, Nanganallur, Ullagaram, Puzhuthivakkam and parts of Velachery.
Many of them have been parking their vehicles at the unauthorised parking lot on the northern side. Others have been taking a detour to have their vehicles parked on the southern side where an authorised parking lot functions.
The new parking lot, which is meant for two-wheelers, including bicycles, is spread across 50,000 sq.ft and can accommodate 2,000 motorcycles. Due to space constraint, permission was not given to have cars parked at the facility.
P. Chandrasekar, parking contractor at the new facility, says, “We got this facility up and running in a short time — around two days, to be precise. We quickly removed the garbage, cleared the bushes and levelled the ground. We have ensured sufficient lighting at the parking lot.
However, the period of this contract is just three months. A decision to extend the contract will be based on the performance of the parking lot and demand from commuters,” adds Chandrasekar.
"In the week immediately after the establishment of the lot, an average of 1,200 vehicles were parked every weekday. On Sunday, only 300 vehicles were parked. People are still unaware of the new parking lot. It will take a few more days for people to take notice of it,” says the contractor.
Vignesh, one of the managers at the lot, says, “The parking lot will be throughout the day, in three shifts. Users will be charged according to rates prescribed by the Southern Railway — for cycles, it is ₹5 per day and for motorcyles, ₹10 per day. Monthly passes are also available at ₹125 per month for cycles and at ₹300 for motorcycles. We are planning to create an exclusive parking space for women.”
While welcoming the move to have an authorised parking lot on this side, Ramya, a regular at the Velachery MRTS station, says, “At night, there is sufficient lighting inside the parking lot, but it is dark outside. Railway authorities should ensure the defunct high-mast lights at the station are repaired, and sodium vapour lamps replaced with LED lamps. Due to lack of illumination on the approach area to the lot, I park my vehicle adjoining the main road.”
Rajesh, a software engineer, says, “There is a vast space outside the parking lot. If the bushes there are cleared and a fence installed, 50 to 75 cars can be parked there.”
Commuters believe the authorised parking lot will put an end to frequent vehicle thefts on the northern side.