PUNE: Residents of the Camp are voicing serious concerns about the deteriorating conditions of local structures, holding the Pune Cantonment Board accountable for failing to take necessary repair actions.
For years, these buildings have remained in a precarious state. Some residents are urging immediate repairs to prevent potential disasters, while activists and long-time inhabitants of Camp criticize the inaction by cantonment authorities.
James Paul, former President of the Pune Cantonment Tenants’ Association, commented, “Every monsoon, the board puts out notices for property owners and publishes advisories for precautions. This is a lazy approach. We have repeatedly asked the cantonment board to take definitive steps to demolish these unsafe structures, yet nothing has been done for years.”
Efforts to contact MB Sable, the executive engineer of the PCB, were unsuccessful.
The unsafe properties are mainly concentrated in the core areas of Camp, including Dastur Meher Road, Sachapir Street, Bacchu Adda, Old Modikhana, and various other alleys. Many of these buildings, constructed of mud, mortar, and wood, present risks to both residents and passersby.
According to a 2021 survey by the Pune Cantonment Board (PCB), over 100 hazardous properties were identified under its jurisdiction. Officials now claim that this number has decreased to around 60-70, as some owners have redeveloped properties after securing necessary approvals.
Priyanka Shirgiri, former vice-president of the PCB, stated, “Very few of these structures have been redeveloped, and only a small number have undergone temporary repairs. Most remain highly unsafe.”
Cantonment officials attribute the lack of action to disputes between property owners and tenants, asserting that tenants’ resistance has been a major obstacle to essential repairs and redevelopment.
Officials highlighted that tenants often pay very low rents—ranging from Rs 2 to Rs 10 per month—under outdated regulations. “Upon redevelopment, tenants would have to pay rents based on current market prices, which leads to their opposition against any redevelopment initiatives. Consequently, the cantonment board is unable to take action,” explained a senior official from the engineering department.
Atul Gaikwad, a long-time resident of Camp and a former PCB member, has been advocating for solutions for years. He expressed concern: “The PCB doesn’t take action on the ground. No steps have been taken to tackle this issue. Residents like me, who’ve lived in the cantonment for fifty years, are increasingly anxious about this dire situation.”
