Pune: The Yerawada Sub-Divisional Sports Complex has implemented a 400% increase in the annual fee for its swimming pool, triggering anger among regular swimmers, especially those from Pune’s eastern regions.

The annual fee has now surged from ₹3,500 to ₹4,500 last year to ₹13,000 to ₹15,000 this year. Swimmers, including many senior citizens, are protesting the hike and have demanded an immediate reversal, calling it unfair and financially burdensome.

The Olympic-standard swimming pool at Yerawada’s state-run sports complex is a popular destination for both swimming enthusiasts and athletes.

A large portion of the users are senior citizens, who rely on swimming for health and fitness. The divisional sports complex committee recently approved the substantial fee hike, citing rising operational costs and the need to make the facility economically viable for the organization managing it.

Officials stated that the pool management had previously secured the contract for ₹2.8 million, but the new contractor, Champion Pool, has agreed to a tender of ₹3.8 million for a three-year term. According to officials, the increased expenses, particularly for maintenance and electricity, justified the fee hike.

However, this explanation has not appeased the swimmers. They argue that such a steep increase is excessive, with many suggesting a more reasonable increment. Some members have been granted discounts of ₹2,000 to ₹3,000, but this has not alleviated the frustration among the broader community.

“Last year, the fee was ₹4,500. It could have been raised slightly, but to jump it up to ₹13,000 to ₹15,000 in one go is completely unfair. We demand that this hike be rolled back,” said Chaitanya Dhamdhere, a regular swimmer.

Senior citizens, who form a significant portion of the pool’s users, are particularly affected by the price hike.

“We come here to swim for health reasons, but these fees are impossible for us to manage. We already have significant expenses for healthcare and medication. This fee hike needs to be reversed immediately,” expressed Ghanshyam Agarwal, a senior citizen who regularly swims at the pool.

Despite the backlash, the district sports authorities maintain that the new fees, which average ₹36 per day, are in line with charges at similar facilities. They also emphasized that the pool requires high operational costs, especially for electricity, due to the large pumps used.