There have been no takers for the contract to operate the two-wheeler parking lot near Chromepet railway station.
On Wednesday, hundreds of office-goers and students who use the EMU services left their motorcycles and bicycles at the facility at their own risk.
Enquiries revealed that the Commercial Department of Southern Railway had invited bids about six months ago to award the contract for maintaining the parking lot.
A board installed at the parking lot states that the facility has been temporarily closed down on June 1. Enquiries with Southern Railway revealed that the temporary contract, issued to an individual, expired on June 1. It was extended by a week, by when the existing contract was expected to be renewed or the facility handed over to the highest bidder in the tender.
On Wednesday morning, in the absence of the contractor's men, there was some confusion as owners were worried about leaving their vehicles unattended. Personnel of the Railway Protection Force and Chromepet police station were instructed to maintain a vigil and restore order.
Commuters were visibly upset as parking the two-wheelers would be unsafe. It was a loss of revenue for Southern Railway, as it charges Rs.1.25 lakh from contractors of the parking lot.
On enquiry, Southern Railway officials said they had floated a tender well ahead of the end of the existing contract, but there were no applicants. They had called for bids again and there were no takers the second time too. Steps were being taken to appoint a contractor at the earliest, they added.
