In a recent development, the Local Military Authority (LMA) Dakshin (south) Maharashtra and Goa sub-area have proposed the closure of 24 public roads in Pune Cantonment Board (PCB) following the excision of the civil area. The move, aimed at maintaining the homogeneity of the cantonment and addressing security concerns, has sparked discussions between the military authorities and the PCB.
The LMA, in a letter dated March 4 to the PCB chief executive officer Subrat Pal, outlined the plan to implement road closures in designated pockets. The roads listed for closure include Nehru Marg, 1.2 km; Abdul Kalam Marg, 1 km; LBS Marg, 1.2 km; Jijamata Marg, 0.9 km; MM road upto HQ Southern Command, 0.4 km; Rajendra Singhji Road, 0.8 km; Mayo Road, 0.6 km; Kahun Road 1.2 km; Pattison Road, 0.8 km; PG Road, 1.3 km; Arjun Road 1.1 km; Ross Road, 0.8 km; Mans Fd Road, 0.6 km; Dr Coyaji Road, 1.3 km; Stavely Road, 0.7 km; Llyod Road, 0.4 km; Lawrence Road, 1.3 km; Napier Road, 0.9 km; Cross Road, 0.7 km; Wanowrie Road, 1.0 km; RF Lines Road, 2 km; Fergusson Road, 1.0 km; Wanowrie Road 0.9 km and Kitchner Road, 0.6 km.
Pal, when contacted, refrained from commenting on the issue at this stage. However, in his letter to Chief Secretary Nitin Kareer, Pal attached a copy of the army’s concerns regarding security, Floor Space Index (FSI), and road closures. The LMA Dakshin (south) Maharashtra and Goa sub-area emphasized the need for an FSI restriction before any excision of the civil area takes place.
The LMA’s primary contention is that no excision should occur without an FSI restriction, particularly in the commercial areas surrounding its sensitive installations. The proposed FSI of one aims to safeguard the security establishments within the cantonment area.
The LMA anticipates a surge in traffic post-excision and proposes road closures in eight out of twelve civilian pockets. These closures are intended to achieve access control and address security concerns while assuring residents that alternate link roads are available to mitigate any impact on traffic movement.
Pune Cantonment Board has formally submitted a detailed 45-page draft proposal seeking the excision of 246.8 acres of the notified civilian area, which is proposed to be merged with the Pune Municipal Corporation. Subrat Pal submitted the draft proposal report to the Chief Secretary Government of Maharashtra on March 6, outlining the precise excision of the notified civilian area from the original cantonment board jurisdiction.
Totaling 2962.060 acres, the Pune cantonment area comprises 246.8 acres of notified civil cum bazar (commercial) land, proposed for merger with the Pune Municipal Corporation alongside three other pockets, namely Ghorpadi village, Fatimanagar, and Cavalry Parade ground.
