Railway Implements Sharp Hike in Parking Fees; DYFI Stages Protest

Thiruvananthapuram: The Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) has strongly opposed the Southern Railway’s decision to significantly increase parking fees at major railway stations across the state from June 1. The move, which more than doubles the existing rates, has been implemented even as the previous contract terms remain in place.
The monthly parking fee for two -wheelers, which was 200 rupees, has now been raised to 600 rupees. Many stations lack proper shelters or CCTV surveillance, leaving vehicles parked in poorly maintained areas at the owners’ risk. Despite these inadequate facilities, the railway authorities have imposed a steep hike, causing inconvenience to the public.
In protest, the DYFI staged a sit-in outside the office of the Thiruvananthapuram Railway Divisional Manager.
The parking contract terms have also been criticised for lacking transparency. Season tickets are issued only to those who park for at least eight hours in many locations. While the monthly pass for bicycles remains 200 rupees , four- wheelers now face revised rates: the first two hours cost 30, and parking beyond three days costs 600 rupees. Vehicles parked beyond 96 hours will be charged an additional 200 rupees per day.
Under the new fee structure, the previous rates of 5 rupees for two-wheelers, 25 rupees for three and four -wheelers, and 120 rupees for buses and mini-buses (up to two hours) have been increased substantially. The revised rates are as follows: two to eight hours, 20 rupees (two-wheelers), 50 (three/four- wheelers)rupees, 270 rupees (buses); eight to 24 hours, 30 rupees, 80 rupees, 380 rupees; 24 to 48 hours, 60 rupees, 180 rupees, 840 rupees; and 48 to 72 hours, 110 rupees, 300 rupees, 1,260 rupees. Additionally, monthly passes for four -wheelers have been discontinued.
The protest was organised under the leadership of the DYFI Thiruvananthapuram district committee, demanding an immediate rollback of the arbitrary hike.