Amid a major renovation project aimed at transforming Chandigarh Railway Station into a world-class facility, daily commuters and visitors are facing a severe parking crisis. The ongoing construction has severely narrowed the available space, turning the pick-up and drop-off zones into a scene of daily chaos and frustration.
The 10-Minute Rule That Doesn't Work
The core of the issue lies in the implementation of the parking fee system. The station's parking contractor officially allows a 10-minute free window for picking up or dropping off passengers. However, the extreme traffic congestion, especially during the arrival of premium trains, makes it nearly impossible for vehicles to enter, collect passengers, and exit within this short timeframe.
Once the free period lapses, steep charges apply: Rs 50 for up to 30 minutes and Rs 100 for up to 60 minutes. Commuters argue that they are being unfairly penalized for delays caused by the station's own infrastructure bottlenecks and poor management.
Commuters Narrate Their Ordeal
Neeraj Ahuja, a resident of Kharar, shared his experience from Thursday. He arrived to pick up relatives from the Vande Bharat Express, scheduled for 3:35 pm. "I was given a slip mentioning 10 minutes as free time," Ahuja said. "But the rush of private cars and taxis was so heavy that it became impossible to exit in time." With the train arriving slightly late and the ensuing jam, his exit took 32 minutes, forcing him to pay Rs 100.
Jagtar Singh from Zirakpur faced a similar situation around the same time. "The moment I entered, there was chaos. Vehicles were barely moving," he stated. He was charged Rs 50 for half an hour, despite most of that time being spent stuck in the gridlock. Singh also pointed out that the chaos spills onto the main road outside, where wrongly parked taxis, autorickshaws, and buses compound the problem.
Official Response and Underlying Issues
A railway official acknowledged the problems, citing that the construction of a new approach road and other upgrades has reduced space. The situation deteriorates significantly with the arrival of trains like the Shatabdi Express and Vande Bharat Express.
The official revealed that while three booths with boom barriers were proposed to manage vehicle queues, only two are currently operational. The setup of the third booth is expected to ease exit queues. Interestingly, the official noted that while the contractor allows a 10-minute free window, the railway's own guidelines permit only six minutes of free parking.
Group Captain Sunil Bisht, a city resident, called the parking chaos a regular affair, highlighting that poor management is especially evident during peak train arrival times.
The promised world-class makeover for Chandigarh Railway Station is currently coming at a high cost to daily convenience. Until the construction is complete and traffic management is significantly improved, commuters continue to pay the price, both in time and money, for a service that should be free and efficient.
