Civilian areas in 13 military cantonments to be transferred to local municipalities

The Central government has intensified efforts to separate civilian areas from defence zones in military cantonments, with plans to transfer property rights over assets in 13 such areas to local municipalities.

This move will see military stations remain under armed forces control while surrounding civilian areas are handed over to state governments.

In a recent letter to cantonment authorities, the government outlined guidelines for the excision of civil areas and their merger with state municipalities. These guidelines, formulated in a meeting chaired by Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane, stipulate that "proprietary rights over all assets meant for providing civic amenities and municipal services in the excised area shall be transferred to State Government/ State Municipalities free of cost."