Pune: Citizens, activists, and former members of PCB have objected to the draft building bylaws approved by the Directorate General of Defence Estates (DGDE), alleging that the proposed regulations fall short of residents’ long-standing demand for a uniform floor space index (FSI) of 2 in civilian pockets.The draft categorises permissible FSI into four slabs—1.25, 1.5, 1.75, and 2—instead of extending a uniform FSI of 2 to all properties in the civil pockets under Pune Cantonment Board (PCB). Residents stated that this graded approach could leave property owners in certain areas with limited scope to reconstruct or expand their ageing houses, thereby defeating the purpose of revising the building regulations.Vidyadhar Pawar, chief executive officer of PCB, told TOI, “We have issued a public notice and invited suggestions and objections from citizens. Those who have objections can submit them through this process. These are draft bylaws, and the concerned authorities will consider residents’ views before finalising them in the near future.”The FSI issue has remained contentious in the Pune Cantonment for decades. Residents have repeatedly complained that restrictions on permissible construction have prevented them from undertaking redevelopment, even when existing structures have deteriorated and require substantial repairs.Activists argue that the authorities must explain the rationale behind assigning different FSI limits to properties within civilian areas, particularly if the objective is to provide relief to residents. They are also demanding that the criteria used to determine the four categories be made public so that property owners can understand why their plots qualify for a specific limit.“FSI has been a core issue for the cantonment over the last few years. It should be public-friendly,” said Vinod Mathurawala, former vice president of PCB.The graded FSI could also raise questions about equitable development within the Camp area. Residents have long argued that neighbouring properties should not face substantially different redevelopment opportunities without transparent planning criteria. They want the final regulations to provide clarity on plot-specific eligibility, permissible built-up areas, and the conditions attached to additional FSI.“Hundreds of properties are decades old and urgently need to be redeveloped. Many owners have held back due to a lack of clarity on FSI and other complications, including legal battles with tenants. If they receive a higher FSI, many could settle these legal disputes and proceed with plot redevelopment. However, this draft bylaw clearly indicates that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) does not want to resolve the issue. It only creates more confusion and complicates the process for the general public. This is a shocking step,” said activist Rajabhau Chavan.In March 2025, PCB initiated the process of framing new building bylaws for civilian and bungalow areas following DGDE directives. Around 2,500 properties in the civil areas are affected, as construction restrictions have largely limited residents to minor repairs and prevented them from expanding their homes.“The Sumit Bose committee on cantonment reforms had recommended that FSI in civilian areas be aligned with that of neighbouring municipal corporations—a recommendation that has yet to translate into relief for residents,” said another former member of PCB.According to sources, the plan is to approve FSI based on the size of the land plot.“The FSI will be lower for larger land plots. This is intended to control vertical growth in the Camp area. Consequently, the draft bylaws will not allow property owners to opt for large-scale construction. That appears to be the primary intention of the ministry,” a senior official from the Directorate General of Defence Estates said.Sachin Mathurawala, the nominated member, said, “We will soon submit our objections and suggestions to it. Because there is no clarity on certain aspects. The bylaws are crucial for the overall development of the cantonment limit.”
