TIRUCHY: Visitors to the Dr Kalaignar M Karunanidhi Integrated Bus Terminus (IBT) at Panjappur in Tiruchy have voiced displeasure over a private contractor’s decision to levy an ‘emergency parking fee’ of Rs 20 on motorists who briefly halt near the entrance to pick up or drop off passengers.
The state-of-the-art terminus, built at a cost of Rs 246.1 crore and made operational in July this year, houses an extensive parking facility, including a designated underground two-wheeler parking area capable of accommodating around 1,000 bikes, and an open parking space for over 100 cars.
As per Tiruchy Corporation norms, the contractor is authorised to collect Rs 20 only for bikes parked in the underground parking facility, and Rs 50 for six-hour car parking. However, daily users allege that the contractor’s staff have been flouting these guidelines by charging a flat Rs 20 even in the open parking space next to the statue of former CM M Karunanidhi, a spot that commuters say is meant to be free for short halts.
This stretch, located near the statue, has become a flashpoint, with staff allegedly collecting the fee even from those who stop for less than a minute to assist elderly passengers, unload luggage, or drop off children.
Adding to commuter frustration is the fact that the staff issue the same parking fee receipt used for bikes parked in the underground facility, while verbally insisting that the amount is an ‘emergency parking fee’. The term does not appear in any corporation-approved rule book. Regular users say the practice began abruptly and without public notification, creating confusion and resentment.
Speaking to TNIE, C Shanmugam from Alundur, who had stopped briefly to drop off his son, said, “I halted for barely three minutes so my son could take his bag. Immediately, a staff demanded Rs 20. When I questioned it, he insisted it was compulsory and issued a receipt. This is clearly extortion. A few months ago, nothing like this was happening. Many passengers, especially elderly visitors and women with luggage, pay the fee out of confusion.”
R Gugan, a regular commuter from Gandhi Market, added, “If the corporation has already provided a paid parking facility underground, why should we pay again for a short halt in an open area that is supposed to be free? There were no signboards or instructions near the entrance indicating that brief stops would be charged. Even so, demanding Rs 20 just for stopping momentarily is unreasonable.”
When contacted, a senior corporation official said, “They should not collect money from those who come to drop off passengers and halt briefly. They are authorised to collect fees only for vehicles parked in the designated underground parking area. If anyone is being charged unfairly, we will look into the issue and prevent such practices.”