Pune: Pune Cantonment Board (PCB) has received hundreds of suggestions and objections from citizens on the draft building bylaws proposed by the Ministry of Defence, with a majority demanding a uniform floor space index (FSI) of 2 and greater clarity on the criteria for determining permissible construction.The objections come amid long-standing demands by residents of the civilian pockets of Pune Cantonment for relaxation of stringent building restrictions that have prevented them from reconstructing or expanding aging houses.Citizens, activists and former board members have questioned the ministry’s decision to introduce four different FSI slabs instead of extending a uniform FSI of 2 to all properties.PCB chief executive officer Vidyadhar Pawar said, “The response to the draft bylaws is overwhelming and we are going to discuss each of the suggestions and objections in the board meeting as per the procedure. Thereafter, we will submit them to the competent authority, which will forward the proposal to the ministry for approval.”According to board officials, most of the objections revolve around the lack of clarity in the proposed FSI structure and the demand for a uniform FSI of 2. The draft has categorised permissible FSI into four slabs — 1.25, 1.5, 1.75 and 2 — instead of extending the maximum permissible FSI to all properties in the civilian areas.Officials said several residents were uncertain about the FSI they would be entitled to and the criteria that would determine their eligibility for the maximum permissible limit. “Most of the suggestions are against the ministry’s decision to propose four types of FSI. Many residents do not know how much FSI they would get and what the criteria are for securing the maximum permissible limit. They fear they may not get the full FSI,” an official said.Nominated member Sachin Mathurawala said the revision of FSI had been a long-pending demand of residents, who expected the new regulations to provide a straightforward solution to their redevelopment concerns. “The revision of FSI is a long-pending demand and people have been asking for it for years. They want a straight 2 FSI without any conditions. This is their natural demand and reaction. Therefore, the authorities concerned should give importance to their demand,” he said.Former PCB vice-president Vinod Mathurawala said the regulations should be framed keeping residents’ concerns in mind. “There should be clarity on how the permissible FSI will be determined and why different limits are being proposed for properties within the same civilian area,” he said.Residents have also raised concerns about equitable development in the Camp area. They fear that neighbouring properties could end up with substantially different redevelopment opportunities under the graded system. They have sought transparency on plot-specific eligibility, permissible built-up area and conditions attached to additional FSI.The FSI issue has remained contentious in Pune Cantonment for decades. Around 2,500 properties in the civilian areas are affected by construction restrictions, which have largely confined owners to undertaking repairs while preventing substantial reconstruction and expansion.Several houses have deteriorated over the years, leaving owners struggling to improve their living conditions within the existing regulatory framework.In March 2025, PCB initiated the process of framing new building bylaws for civilian and bungalow areas following directives from Directorate General of Defence Estates (DGDE). The move had raised expectations of a comprehensive relaxation of construction restrictions.Sumit Bose committee on cantonment reforms had also recommended aligning the FSI in civilian areas with that of neighbouring municipal corporations. However, residents have argued that the recommendation has not translated into the expected relief on the ground.According to sources, the proposed FSI structure is linked to the size of individual land parcels, with larger plots likely to receive a lower FSI. The approach appears to be aimed at regulating vertical growth in the cantonment, where defence-related restrictions and planning considerations continue to influence construction norms.“The FSI will be less for larger land plots. It is a way to control the vertical growth of the Camp area. Therefore, the draft bylaws will not allow property owners to undertake large-scale construction. That is what the preliminary intention of the ministry appears to be,” a senior DGDE official said.
