The revised parking fee at the Mysuru railway station, which came into effect from October 1, has drawn flak from regular commuters and stakeholders on the ground that it was too steep. However, the authorities have justified the hike on various grounds, including GST on parking on railway land which is 18%. The parking fee for a duration of upto 1 hour is ₹10 for two-wheelers and ₹20 for four-wheelers and for more than 1 hour but below 5 hours it is ₹15 for two- wheelers and ₹30 for four-wheelers.The daily commuters who park their two-wheelers for more than 5 hours have to shell out ₹25 while four-wheelers will be charged ₹50 for the same duration. Cyclists have to pay ₹2, ₹4, and ₹8 respectively for the above duration.
The earlier parking fee for upto four hours was ₹2 for cycles, ₹6 for two-wheelers, and ₹10 for four-wheelers. For above 4 hours upto 8 hours, the parking fee was ₹4 for cycles, ₹10 for two-wheelers, and ₹15 for four- wheelers; above 8 hours upto 16 hours, the fee was ₹6 for cycles, ₹12 for two-wheelers and ₹20 for four-wheelers, and for above 16 hours, it was ₹8 for cycles, ₹15 for two-wheelers, and ₹25 for four-wheelers.
Meanwhile, Pratap Simha, MP, has intervened on behalf of the public and has promised to sort out the issue. But, railway authorities have justified the hike.
S.G. Yatish, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, stated in a release that while providing parking facilities to passengers is important it is also ensured that the available land was put to optimum use while determining user charges. He said issue like area available and area earmarked for parking, implementation of GST for parking, existing charges in adjoining areas like the suburb bus stand, city bus stand, Mysuru zoo, palace, and other public places and the present market value of the land earmarked for parking in comparison with its earning potentials were considered for the revision which was last done four years ago.