Pune: Those coming to the Pune railway station to drop or pick up passengers and halting their vehicles for more than 10 minutes in the 'pick-up and drop' lane will be liable to pay a fine soon. 

Pune Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Milind Deouskar said said the penalty amount is being finalised. 

The move, on the lines of the system followed at Pune airport, aims to control the crowd and ensure order at Pune junction. “In spite of designated parking lots near the pick-and-drop points, people tend to wait in their vehicles for passengers. This blocks the whole area, inconveniencing others,” Deouskar said. 

The parking space is next to the main entrance of the station. The area has a specific place for parking of four-wheelers. The same arrangement is in place at the foot-over-bridge at Raja Bahadur Mills Road, which was opened for public last year. 

Passenger groups felt the move will have limited utility as those entering the parking lane have to pay Rs 20 to the parking contractor who illegally extorts money from them. 

“Everyone knows that entering the pick-and-drop lane does not come for free. Every vehicle which enters the lane - notwithstanding the time spent - has to cough up Rs 20 as goons employed by the parking contractor extort money from them even if they do not use the parking facility. That is why many vehicle owners especially Ola and Uber cabs desist from entering the station premises to pick up or drop passengers,” said Shah. 

“People who think they will need more than 10 minutes to pick up and drop off passengers can park their vehicles in the designated parking lots. Those vehicle owners who resist will face tough action including towing of the vehicles." 
- Milind Deouskar, DRM.