Whenever R. Elumalai leaves his two-wheeler at the parking lot at Thirumayilai MRTS, he uses a rear lock to ensure it is safe. He’s been doing this for a few months now – ever since the station stopped having a parking contractor.
“There is no parking contractor at the station for the last six months. I often travel a long distance from where I leave my bike, so I bought the lock. This way, nobody can steal my bike,” says Elumalai, a small trader.
For nearly six months, the two and four-wheeler parking slots at Thirumayilai MRTS are without a parking contractor. Southern Railway did not identify a new contractor after the contract period of the previous agency expired, say motorists.
A large number of residents from the Thirumayilai MRTS use the elevated transit system to get to offices on Rajiv Gandhi Salai and in the southern suburbs. Also, many come to the booking office located at the station for reservation purpose. The office of the Inspector, Railway Protection Force, is also located at the station.
Despite the absence of a parking contractor, over 200 two-wheelers can be seen parked at any time of the day.
Many commuters say the barbed wire fencing at the two-wheeler parking lot has come off in places, which makes it easy for thieves to get away with a bike or bicycle. The space beneath the MRTS station is occupied by taxi drivers and other vehicles. A newcomer is unlikely to find out right away that there is no authorised parking contractor as Southern Railway has not displayed any board at both the entrances to warn commuters about this.
“I know I am parking at my own risk. I do it because there is no other choice. I come from Purasawalkam on my bike and leave it at Thirumayilai station as it is more convenient than using the MTC,” says B. Preetika who commutes to Velachery from the station. Previously, she says, she would only side-lock her vehicles. “Now, I ensure it is locked and I take the vehicle before it gets dark.”
According to a Southern Railway official, the department had invited quotations twice but they did not get any interested companies to man the parking lot. “We will be re-issuing quotations again, slashing the reserve price,” says the official, adding that it is the same issue at many stations.
