Panvel railway station to get pre-paid taxi, auto services

Navi Mumbai: The Panvel railway station will soon get a pre-paid taxi and auto facility. The RTO Panvel office had sent a proposal to provide a 10x10ft land for an office for the services. Panvel stationmanager D K Gupta said, "The service could not be started due to a railway policy (that allows such service at A-1 class railway stations). The policy has changed now."

Deputy RTO Panvel Anand Patil said they had asked for a 10x10ft land for an office but the railways have agreed for a 6x10ft land. The proposal will hopefully be cleared with the policy change, Patil added.

"The pre-paid taxis and autorickshaws will have a GPS system. Those availing the service will tender the charges and Rs 10 extra before boarding the vehicle. The service is exactly like at the airport," the deputy RTO said.

The office will be maintained by the taxi and autorickshaw unions. —Umesh K Parida