This story is from December 25, 2019

How should the government tackle the lack of adequate parking spaces in Secunderabad?

With residents vexed with the high parking rates at Secunderabad railway station, TOI asked readers what authorities could do to improve the situation
How should the government tackle the lack of adequate parking spaces in Secunderabad?
With residents vexed with the high parking rates at Secunderabad railway station, TOI asked readers what authorities could do to improve the situation
I would like to thank the I fail to understand how such exorbitant rates can be charged as parking fee when the land belongs to the Railways and not a private party. When the land is owned by the government, why can’t the Railways collect a more pocket-friendly parking fee? The lack of pocket change to offer in return to paying the parking fee is another way of fleecing the general public.
The concerned officials in the Railways should devote attention to this aspect, and bring the parking fee down to a lower figure
Kameswara Rao
Parking, basically is a facility extended by the business entity to its customers. This facility should not be treated as a product by the business entity/service provider to make profits. Only the amount that is needed to meet the day to day expenses encompassing the maintenance of the parking lot and salaries of the parking attendants should be collected as parking charges. The parking area should not be under the control of contractors. These parking lots should be maintained by the Railways under their direct supervision in order to ensure passenger amenity in its real sense. Additionally, to avoid congestion, the private car parking should be shifted to the rear side (10th platform side) of Secunderabad railway station. The existing car parking at the entrance of should be used for prepaid auto rickshaws and taxi services such as Uber and Ola The incoming auto and taxi should be allowed to drop the passengers and leave the premises immediately. Sign boards should be provided in strategic locations asking passenger to hire vehicles from prepaid area only and not from any other places in the premises. Recently, TOI had published a report that SCR is going to lease their lands to private developers to develop the land commercially. Some of the above land can be used to park vehicles. Luggage trolleys such as the one provided at airports are to be provided at the railway station in adequate numbers, so that the passengers can carry their luggage. SCR are spending a lot of money for various passenger amenities. Some of this money can be diverted to provide an automated multi level car parking at the Railway Station. Authorities must take care to realise that provisions must be made to ensure proper implementation and supervision of developmental work and this work must be supervised to ensure that it is reaching the right people.
A R Venkitaraman
At Kacheguda railway station car the local vendor is fleecing the public by charging Rs.35 to park vehicles for 2 hours. I request authorities to look into the matter.
Arunkumar Yeluri
The issue of high parking fee must be addressed at the earliest. A strong plan for a multilevel parking complex will solve the problem to a great extent. This proposed building should have access to the station entry points enabling people to handle luggage. And the present system of exit and entry for four wheelers must be rearranged because this points are artificially congested to enable collection of parking charges and the exit is very narrow and not a straight one. If the parking area is utilised properly, and redesigned scientifically, there will be a smooth flow of traffic and more space for four wheelers.

P.B. Sundar
Secunderabad was earlier confined to MG road, SP road, RP road , & few adjoining localities like Marredpally, Bowenpally, others. In 60 years, the population has quadrupled but the space is the space. This has led to choking up of infrastructure and various civic amenities in the area. As a result, there is a severe dearth of parking space. Authorities must acquire and take over the unused spaces, abandoned houses, illegal occupations on war footing. These spaces must be redesigned and redeveloped into parking spaces in the vicinity of the main roads and railway station. Parking should not be done on the main roads and strict fines imposed on the offenders. Metro should not interfere with the daily traffic. All shopping malls, complexes, cinema theaters should make their own parking arrangements especially on SD road. Permission should not be granted for any construction of multiplexes, malls or residential apartments in crowded areas.The authorities need to ensure that parks, gardens, old buildings should not be used for parking and other nefarious activities. Authorities should hire more volunteers and contract employees to cater to the basic needs of the citizens. Spreading awareness among the netizens and citizens of Secunderabad is very important.
Ramesh Vemuganti
End of Article
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA