Citizens have been complaining that employees of the contractor, appointed by the railways to maintain the parking lot, have been overcharging people. "Instead of taking Rs 2 for parking a two-wheeler, they have been charging Rs 5,'' said Nitin Gosavi.

A senior army officer told TOI that he had parked his four-wheeler in the station circulating area recently, when he had gone to the station to see his friend off. "The parking lot employee demanded Rs 10. When I asked for a receipt, he declined to give it and threatened me,'' he said.

When contacted officials of the divisional commercial office said they had already taken action against the contractor Sayed Afzal Ibrahim. "This year, we have fined the contractor twice after receiving complaints from passengers,'' a senior official said on the condition of anonymity.

He added that a fine of Rs 1,000 was imposed on Ibrahim for wrong behaviour from those appointed to manage the parking lot. "The contractor argued that his employees did it for earning extra money for themselves, and that he had no role in it. However, his argument was not accepted.''

The officials have moreover requested citizens to inform the railway's commercial office regarding such instances. "We will look into the matter. After we receive a complaint thrice, we have to take a serious step,'' he said.

However, Ibrahim defended his employees and alleged that people using the parking lot had been behaving rudely with his employees. "The rate for parking a two-wheeler for six hours is Rs 2, while for a four-wheeler it is Rs 10 for four hours,'' Ibrahim said. He alleged that citizens often declined to pay the amount.

Several railway officers have also been complaining about the parking woes at the station. "At a time when we are doing our best to serve the passengers better, such a situation gives out a negative image of the railways,'' officials said.