Pune Cantonment Court Building: A Prime Property Left to Decay
Pune: More than a year after the Pune Cantonment Court was relocated, its 120-year-old building on MG Road remains locked, deteriorating, and forgotten. This stark reminder of the Pune Cantonment Board's (PCB) ongoing indecision and deepening financial troubles is a prime property in one of Pune's busiest and most profitable commercial hubs.
The two-storey colonial-era building, which served as the headquarters of the Pune Cantonment Board until 1988 and as the Cantonment Court until June 2024, is now surrounded by overgrown vegetation and increasingly used as a dumping ground. Activist Rajabhau Chavan, who has been following the issue for years, said, “It is a prime property on MG Road. The PCB should demolish the unsafe structure and construct a commercial complex here to generate much-needed revenue for the cash-strapped board.”
The PCB's structural audit conducted in 2017 found the building “precarious and unsafe.” With limited resources, the board only carried out patchwork repairs that allowed the court to continue operations temporarily. PCB's Chief Executive Officer Vidyadhar Pawar, who took over the charge in September, told TOI, “The property has commercial potential, but we are yet to initiate any project on it. We will explore it in the future.”
A former PCB member commented, “The cantonment board should have acted years ago to convert this valuable piece of land into a steady revenue source. Instead, the property has been left to decay. This is not just about preserving an old structure; it's about managing assets efficiently at a time when the board is facing a severe financial crunch.” PCB officials have privately acknowledged a significant decline in their revenue sources over recent years.
The board, which primarily relies on property tax, service charges, and modest grants from the defence ministry, is currently facing challenges in covering even basic operational costs like staff salaries and the upkeep of civic infrastructure. Priyanka Shrigiri, PCB's former vice-president, told TOI that she had raised the issue with board officials. “I've recently urged the board to give this matter priority. The land is situated in a prime commercial area and, if developed strategically, could generate considerable income. This would help the board reduce its reliance on grants and strengthen its financial position,” she said.
Estimates suggest the plot spans about 2,000 square feet and holds significant commercial promise. Real estate experts believe that transforming it into a multi-storey complex with retail or office spaces could yield substantial annual rental revenue for the board, along with a one-time lease premium. Local traders and residents said redevelopment was the most sensible path forward.
“Leaving a deteriorating and unused heritage structure unattended poses serious risks. Rather than waiting for a mishap, the board should proactively plan a modern commercial complex that would revitalize the area and benefit the public,” said a shopkeeper on MG Road. However, despite growing calls for action, there has been little movement.
“The property, once a proud emblem of colonial administration, now languishes in neglect. Its crumbling façade and padlocked gates are a stark reminder of bureaucratic indifference,” Atul Gaikwad, former PCB member, said.
