PCB Initiates Process to Revise Building Bylaws for Civil and Bungalow Areas in Cantonments

PCB building bylaws, Pune Cantonment Board, cantonment construction rules, Floor Space Index (FSI), DGDE directives, municipal merger, military zone restrictions, civil pocket development, Sumit Bose Committee, MoD building regulations

The Pune Cantonment Board (PCB) has commenced a structured process to frame new building bylaws for its civil and bungalow areas, following directives from the Directorate General of Defence Estates (DGDE). This move is expected to determine the fate of construction activities within cantonment limits, particularly in civil pockets spread across the region.

Spanning over 2,954 acres, Pune’s cantonment area consists of both military zones and civil pockets, with approximately 250 acres designated as civilian areas. The remaining sections, including bungalow zones, fall under the military category. However, these changes will not affect exclusive military zones within the cantonment.

Officials from the Khadki (KCB) and Dehu Road (DCB) cantonment boards have also confirmed that they are undertaking similar exercises in compliance with the DGDE’s directives. A senior official from the PCB’s engineering section stated that preliminary work has begun and that a private agency is being hired to expedite the scientific assessment required for the revision process.

Key Concerns Over Floor Space Index (FSI)

One of the most pressing concerns surrounding these new bylaws is the revision of the Floor Space Index (FSI) regulations. Currently, the cantonment allows an FSI of 1 for civil pockets and 0.5 for bungalow areas. Over the years, residents and activists have persistently demanded that the FSI be increased to 2 for civil zones and 1 for bungalow areas to facilitate new construction projects.

Local activist Rajabhau Chavan highlighted that restrictions on FSI have significantly impacted approximately 2,500 properties in the civil areas. "Only repair is allowed, which has severely affected residents who wish to expand or construct houses," he pointed out, adding that there is an urgent need for reforms to allow for development within permissible limits.

Historical Background and Government Response

The issue of building bylaws within cantonments has been contentious for years. In 2015, the Union Ministry of Defence (MoD) directed all cantonments across India to draft new building bylaws. However, despite the directive, no significant progress has been made, leaving residents in limbo regarding their construction rights.

To address this issue, the MoD also constituted the Sumit Bose Committee on cantonment reforms, which recommended aligning FSI regulations in civil pockets with those of adjacent municipal corporations. Despite these recommendations, the ministry has yet to implement changes, citing undisclosed reasons, much to the frustration of local stakeholders.

An anonymous DGDE official stated that the latest move to frame new bylaws is being pursued as a "Plan B" in case the proposed merger of civil pockets into the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) does not materialize. “If the merger does not get the state government’s approval due to political or administrative reasons, we need a ‘people-friendly’ new building bylaw in place,” the official said.

The Merger Debate and Military Influence

The proposal to merge civil pockets with municipal corporations has been pending at the state government level. If implemented, the final authority on building permissions would shift to the municipal body. However, military authorities have traditionally exercised strong control over such decisions, making the potential merger a sensitive and complex issue.

A senior DGDE official explained, “Once you merge civil pockets with municipal corporations, the military’s influence over building permissions reduces. It would be difficult for them to have a strong say in the matter. That’s why the merger has become a delicate issue for the ministry.”

Experts Call the Move a ‘Futile Exercise’

While the PCB’s initiative to revise building bylaws has been welcomed by some, others remain skeptical about its effectiveness. Senior defence officials have described the move as a "futile exercise," citing decades of inaction on key regulatory issues, including FSI adjustments and financial constraints.

Activist Peter Durairaj from Secunderabad Cantonment expressed similar concerns, stating, "The MoD has repeatedly failed to address the FSI issue over the past four decades. Additionally, the firm stance taken to merge civil pockets with municipal corporations in the last six years has created confusion. The lack of progress on financial matters, including the Goods and Services Tax (GST) issue, over the last decade further complicates the situation."

He added, "Now, the MoD wants fresh building bylaws, but given past experiences, this effort might not yield substantial results. It is nothing but a futile exercise."

The PCB’s decision to initiate the process of revising building bylaws is a significant step toward addressing long-standing concerns of residents in the cantonment’s civil areas. However, with unresolved debates over the merger with municipal corporations and continued restrictions on FSI, the effectiveness of these reforms remains uncertain.

While stakeholders await clarity, the fate of thousands of residents hangs in the balance, dependent on whether these changes will lead to practical improvements or merely add another layer to the bureaucratic deadlock that has plagued cantonment areas for decades.