In a relief to car-owners finding it difficult to park vehicles at premium parking area at Central Railway station here after alleged "hijacking" of the spot by some persons for their use, the Madras High Court today directed Southern Railway to make arrangements through their personnel to monitor the area.
"Needless to say that the concerned police authorities, being the DSP and the Inspector of Police of the Government Railway Police would render all assistance at the site of this premium car parking," the first bench,comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice T S Sivagnanam said while disposing of a PIL filed by advocate K Sudhan.
The petitioner alleged that the car parking area has been "hijacked" by some private call taxi owners and unauthorized persons who are illegally managing and controlling it.
Sudhan submitted that almost 90 per cent of parking slots in the station is utilized illegally only by call taxis, cabs and autos, whose drivers and owners are reportedly close to a few office bearers of Southern Railways Mazdoor Union.
He said though Railways do not officially impose any parking charges, a few 'mafia gangs' were illegally pocketing huge sums by levelling high charges.
The petitioner narrated his experience when he went to park his car which he claimed, was damaged for not paying the illegal amount.
He prayed for a direction from the court to Railways to regulate the car parking area and for appropriate action against all those illegally collecting car parking charges.
When the matter came up before the First Bench, Railways' counsel produced before it a plan showing regular parking space for 61 cars.
It was also stated that a contract had been awarded in respect of the premium car parking of 48 cars, the tender would be opened on June 22 and that the contract would be finalised within a month.
Recording the submission, the bench disposed of the PIL with the direction to the Railways.
