NAGPUR: The proposed excision plan for the Kamptee Cantonment aims to release nearly 862 acres from military control, making it available for real estate development subject to the Yerkheda Nagar Panchayat’s approvals.
The draft proposal, submitted by the cantonment board to the state government on April 16, is currently awaiting a response. Sources indicate that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) will make the final decision once the state government replies.
The defence land begins about midway along the Nagpur-Kamptee Road and extends to the midpoint of the Kanhan River. The intent is to remove significant areas from military jurisdiction outside the cantonment gates, transferring control to the Yerkheda Nagar Panchayat to facilitate real estate growth. Presently, any real estate project must receive approval from the cantonment board, which imposes various regulations on defence lands.
Yerkheda is located near Kamptee town, which is governed by a municipal council. The defence area stretches from a nullah on Kamptee Road towards Nagpur, encompassing parts of the cantonment board and reaching some areas across the road. Approximately 4km post the cantonment gates falls under the Kamptee municipal council, extending to Kamseri Bazaar, after which the entire span to the Kanhan River midpoint remains under the cantonment board, according to sources.
Upon receiving the state government’s feedback, the excision committee, comprising officials from army establishments and the state’s urban development department (UDD), will review the matter. The final report from this committee will ultimately be submitted to the MoD for a conclusive decision. The excision process aims to exclude specific areas from military control and possibly disband the cantonment board, a legacy from British rule.
Although large areas outside the cantonment board have been identified for potential release under the draft proposal, not all lands are included. Notably, the Mall—a 2km stretch featuring colonial-era private bungalows—has currently been excluded from the plan, meaning these properties will remain under military oversight. The administrative body will transition from the cantonment board to the local military authority (LMA). However, bungalow owners have made numerous requests for the Mall to be included in the excision plan.
