Khadki Cantonment Board (KCB) recently submitted a proposal to the state govt for the excision of 326 acres in its civilian pockets and their merger with Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). The move came after consultations with Southern Command, the local military authority, Bombay Engineering Group and Centre, and Ammunition Factory Khadki.
The civil pockets include Khadki Bazaar areas, Sapras (Bombay Sappers) and Sangamwadi. If the state govt approves the merger, approximately 29,000 residents of a total population of 60,000 will assimilate with PMC.
The board’s CEO Meenakshi Lohia said, “Individuals will need to obtain a no-objection certificate if they wish to construct any structures within 100m of the periphery of the Army establishments. This requirement is part of the security measures proposed by the Army authorities.”Officials said that they met PMC representatives in the first week of December to discuss the merger. “PMC will provide its feedback on our proposal to the state govt. We gave them a comprehensive presentation,” Lohia added.
Khadki’s central location has boosted its real estate value in civil areas. But developers will face challenges in construction of high-rise buildings or housing societies due to security concerns, a section of board officials said.
A senior army officer on condition of anonymity said, “Security is of paramount importance for defence establishments. No project or NoC will be given if the project has security implications. These factors will be studied minutely by the local military authority before granting NoC to private parties for construction.”
The state govt’s directorate of municipal administration, responsible for completing the merger of cantonment areas, has not taken a final call on any cantonment up for merger.
Manoj Ranade, DMA commissioner and director, told, “We are still in the discussion stage. We are getting feedback from respective municipal corporations in the state. Certain aspects will have to be studied and evaluated before merging civil pockets with corporations.”
A senior official of DMA told on condition of anonymity that civic bodies’ feedback is crucial in this merger procedure.
“If they oppose it, then it would be difficult to go ahead with the plan. There are certain security restrictions even after the merger. In such a situation, it would be difficult to launch any big development projects. Likewise, we are studying all minor aspects in detail. Therefore, govt has not taken any decision,” he added.AdvtKhadki is among the oldest cantonments in India and connects Pune with Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation
It is home to key defence establishments, including two prominent ordnance factories
KCB’s bungalow areas will remain outside the merger zone and come under the management of the Army authorities
Authorities have to consider maintenance cost of existing assets, additional infrastructure requirements to provide civic services to the population, and revenue burden of the cantonment’s employees and pension liability of retired personnel
No land pocket or area in Range Hills under the AFK will merge with PMC. So, the vacant plots will remain as they are in the maximum parts of KCB. However, a final comment on the existing proposal is awaited from the state govt.
