Pune: A paid parking facility, which was newly introduced at the Pune District Court Metro Station, has sparked controversy due to the contractor charging double the approved rates on its very first day of operation.

The Pune Metro, managed by MahaMetro, which had announced the official launch of the parking service, was forced to cancel the contractor's agreement following complaints from passengers.

The parking facility, aimed at easing the commuting experience for metro users, is available at several Pune Metro stations including Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, Sant Tukaram Nagar, Fugewadi, Bopodi, Shivajinagar, District Court, Ideal Colony, and Mangalwar Peth.

The official parking rates for these stations were set at ₹8 per hour for two-wheelers and ₹12 for two hours, with an additional fee of ₹5 for helmet storage.

However, passengers using the parking service at the District Court station reported that the contractor was charging them ₹15 per hour for two-wheelers and ₹35 per hour for cars, which is nearly double the officially sanctioned rates.

This led to an outcry from passengers who noted that the parking charges exceeded the cost of a metro ticket, which starts at ₹10. They demanded immediate action, calling the situation "unfair and exploitative."

MahaMetro, acting swiftly on the complaints, terminated the contractor's agreement. Hemant Sonawane, Executive Director of MahaMetro, confirmed the decision, stating, "Paid parking services were also launched at Shivajinagar and District Court stations on Monday (September 30).

When it came to our notice that the contractor was charging more than the approved rates, we immediately halted the parking fee collection and canceled their contract."