Bureaucratic Delays Stall Pune, Khadki Cantonment Merger Despite Maharashtra CM’s Nod
Pune, 17th September 2025: The long-awaited merger of Pune and Khadki Cantonment Boards (PCB and KCB) with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has run into administrative hurdles, even though Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis cleared the proposal over two months ago.
The merger, aimed at bringing civilian areas of cantonments under municipal governance, was approved in principle during a high-level meeting chaired by Fadnavis on July 10 at Vidhan Bhavan, Mumbai. The plan covers seven cantonment boards across Maharashtra, including Pune and Khadki.
However, the process came to a halt due to the delay in issuing the official minutes of the meeting. These were released only on September 12, pushing back the timeline for forwarding the final proposal to the Union Ministry of Defence (MoD). According to the directions given by Fadnavis, the state was expected to submit the complete proposal within three months.
What Was Discussed in the Meeting
At the July 10 meeting, senior officials from the state Urban Development Department and the Directorate of Municipal Administration presented the action taken so far and the challenges faced. The Joint Secretary (Lands and Works) from the MoD clarified that while civilian properties would be transferred, construction on defence-owned land would still require prior approval from central authorities.
The merger seeks to integrate the civilian pockets of PCB and KCB into PMC’s jurisdiction, thereby extending civic services such as waste management, road maintenance, and water supply. Pune Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram, the CEOs of both cantonments, and senior defence estate officers were present to outline the framework for transition.
Fadnavis directed officials to prepare a comprehensive plan covering the transfer of urban areas, personnel, assets, and services from the cantonment boards to municipal bodies. He also asked the district collector to allocate District Planning Committee (DPC) funds to support the transition. Another round of discussions is expected to resolve pending issues between the state and the MoD.
Residents Voice Concern
Local activists have welcomed the decision but expressed frustration at the slow pace of implementation. “The merger of Pune and Khadki cantonments with PMC is not just desirable but overdue,” said Rajbhau Chavan, a long-time campaigner for civilian rights in cantonment areas.
“For decades, residents have struggled with inadequate amenities, lack of representation, and arbitrary restrictions under military administration. This move can bring them into the mainstream of urban governance.”
Chavan stressed that residents should not be sidelined in the process. “People must have a say in ward formation, service delivery, and infrastructure development. The merger must protect public land and community spaces while ensuring transparency,” he said, urging both state and central governments to expedite the process.
Way Forward
Despite approval at the highest political level, the merger remains stuck in procedural red tape. With the official minutes now released, the state government must act quickly to forward the proposal to the MoD. Only after central approval will the civilian areas of Pune and Khadki cantonments formally come under PMC’s jurisdiction.
Until then, residents continue to wait for better civic services and inclusion in the city’s governance framework.
