MARGAO
Konkan Railway Corporation’s controversial access/parking fee at the Margao railway station triggered violence on Monday morning after an agitated mob stormed into the station premises after the fee collectors allegedly assaulted a rent a car driver.
In fact, tension rent the air after a rent a car driver claimed he was abused and assaulted by the access/parking fee collectors engaged by the contractor. Angered over the incident, coming as it does against the backdrop of overcharging by the contractor on Sunday evening, a mob marched into the railway station premises and damaged the toll booth, entry bar and other items.
The agitating public demanded scrapping of the system, saying it has become a tool for extortion and dadagari for the people collecting the fees.
They demanded immediate arrest of the fee collectors responsible for assaulting the rent-a-car driver and scrapping of the system, saying that the system has resulted in violence and tension at the Margao railway station.
The incident is believed to have occurred when a rent-a-car entered the railway station to drop a customer. It is believed that he was stopped to pay access fee at the exit point for staying inside the railway premises beyond the prescribed time limit. The rent-a-car driver refused to pay the fee, saying he has not crossed the prescribed time frame. In the ensuing arguments, he was allegedly attacked by the fee collectors.
As news spread over the incident, an agitated mob descended at the railway premises and damaged toll bar and other items before demanding scrapping of the access/parking fee system.
A member of the public informed that they have no problem if the Konkan railway introduces pay parking at the Margao railway station. They, however, objected to access fee system, saying railway stations are being used by the common man and they should not be taxed via the access system when they come to drop or collect their near and dear ones.
Another irate citizen said the Konkan railway should increase the timings for the access to the railway station.”We all feel that 10 minute timing is insufficient for anyone coming to drop his kith and kin to the railway station. Just imagine when a relative comes to the railway station to drop a women and the arrival of the train is delayed for no fault of theirs. Why should the party pay the parking charges to the contractor”, the citizen wondered.
