Pune Cantonment Board Hikes Parking Charges, Citizens Slam ‘Monetised Audacity’
Camp, 4th May 2026: In what citizens are calling “monetised audacity,” the Pune Cantonment Board (PCB) has sparked outrage by drastically hiking its pay-and-park charges across its jurisdiction. With per-visit rates jumping from ₹20 to ₹30 for four-wheelers and ₹5 to ₹8 for two-wheelers, residents and frequent visitors are questioning the justification for the hike when basic parking infrastructure remains virtually non-existent.
The newly installed rate boards indicate a steep increase across the board. While the per-visit rates have surged, the full-day parking charges for four-wheelers (above four hours) have been effectively increased by 50%, jumping from the previously listed ₹40 to ₹60. Two-wheeler full-day charges have also been set at ₹15.
“Paying for Nothing”
Citizens have strongly objected to the fact that they are being forced to pay inflated rates for zero amenities. Vehicles are parked on informal patches of road and footpaths without any demarcated bays, organized layouts, or queue discipline.
Furthermore, residents have highlighted the complete absence of security, lighting, or shading at these sites. The collection system remains cash-only, with contractors frequently failing to issue official receipts, raising serious concerns about revenue leakage and a lack of accountability.
Legal Violations and the East Street Fiasco
The Pune Camp Residents Forum (PCRF) has taken up arms against the move, issuing a scathing formal letter to the CEO of the PCB on May 1. The citizens’ group alleges that the hike is unlawful, having bypassed mandatory procedures outlined in the Cantonments Act, 2006. According to the forum, there was no prior public notice, no publication in the Official Gazette, and no transparent Board Resolution shared with the public before implementing the revised rates.
Adding fuel to the fire is the glaring failure of the multi-crore East Street Parking Complex. Built with taxpayer funds to solve the area’s chronic parking crisis, the multi-storey facility currently stands as a “monument to misgovernance,” heavily encroached upon by unauthorized occupants and illegal commercial establishments under the administration’s nose.
Ultimatum to the PCB
The PCRF has issued a 15-day ultimatum to the PCB, demanding the immediate suspension of the revised rates until due legal processes are followed. They are also demanding an independent public audit of the East Street Parking Complex and the immediate mandating of digital payments or printed receipts for all parking transactions.
Should the board fail to act, the forum has threatened to escalate the matter to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, lodge a complaint with the Chief Vigilance Officer of the Ministry of Defence, and file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Bombay High Court.
For the average citizen, the question remains: Why should the public bear the financial burden of administrative incompetence?
