Mysuru: App-based cab service provider Ola which launched its auto service at Mysuru Railway Station on Friday has landed in trouble as local auto drivers and owners are opposed to it, especially the flexible kiosk which has been set up opposite to SBI ATM. Former district minister and senior BJP leader S A Ramadas representing the auto drivers requested Atul Gupta, Divisional Railway Manager, Mysuru division, South Western Railway to change the place of flexible kiosk.
On Monday, S A Ramadas came to railway station to address the problems of auto drivers. After hearing their grievances, Ramadas along with auto drivers and union leaders met Atul Gupta, Divisional Railway Manager, Mysuru division, South Western Railway at his chamber. The railway officials led by Atul Gupta and Yathish, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Mysuru division South Western Railway briefed Ramadas about the purpose of setting up Ola kiosk at Mysuru Railway station premise. The officials also mentioned that they were only following the instruction from the Railway Board which had already been followed in many places including Bengaluru’s Whitefield, Yeswanthpur and K R Puram.
“Following passengers’ demand and instruction from the Railway Board we have set up Ola kiosk and a place for six to seven cars. With this the Railways will be getting a revenue of Rs 85,000 per month. Everywhere the kiosk is set up next to the exit, entry points on the same line. The engineers in the Mysuru division finalised the place to set up kiosk”, added Yathish. Atul Gupta also gave a piece of advice that people should be ready for the competition rather than kill it.
Reacting to Atul Gupta and Yathish, Ramdas said, “More than the revenue, one has to see the fate of the auto drivers. The demand of auto drivers is to shift the present kiosk which has been set up just opposite to SBI ATM. Try to come up with an alternate place for the kiosk and before starting the service, do inform us.” He also called upon the railway authorities not to create difference between car drivers and auto drivers. At the same time, he also mentioned that he would be writing a letter to Deputy Commissioner D Randeep, heritage commissioner and also to RTO to look into the issue.
After assurance from Ramadas that their issues would be taken up seriously, the auto drivers disbursed. Before disbursing the auto drivers also mentioned that the kiosk which had been set up in front of SBI ATM was spoiling the beauty of Mysuru Railway Station which is an identified heritage structure.
