Pune: PMC Seeks Clarity On Red Zone Boundaries Near Defence Establishments Amid Construction Delays And Growing Complaints

Pune, 4th April 2025: Construction projects near defence establishments in Pune have come to a standstill due to a lack of clarity from the Defence Department regarding the exact boundaries of the “Red Zone” — areas within 50 to 100 meters of defence facilities where construction is restricted. Despite obtaining building permissions from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), landowners and developers are being forced to halt construction until they secure a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Defence Department.

The absence of a clearly defined and officially shared map of the restricted zones has left landowners in limbo. Although the Defence Department had issued a directive several years ago outlining no-development zones around its establishments, it did not specify whether the restricted area should be measured from the boundary of the establishment or from the actual defence perimeter. Additionally, the promised official zoning maps were never released.

This ambiguity has led to repeated queries from citizens and developers to the PMC, prompting the civic body to formally request the Defence Department to survey and demarcate the Red Zone areas and provide accurate maps. A recent meeting involving officials from the PMC, Defence Department, and District Administration concluded with a decision to conduct a joint survey.

While the PMC has expressed readiness to provide detailed records of approved and assessed properties within the affected areas, it claims the Defence Department has yet to confirm its participation in the joint initiative. Complicating matters further, the Defence Department has recently ordered a halt to construction even in areas where permissions had previously been granted, leading to frustration among citizens and developers alike.

The PMC has now officially conveyed its dissatisfaction to the Defence Department and is pushing for immediate resolution through coordinated efforts to finalize the zone boundaries, aiming to prevent further disruption to city development.