Census may show a dip in Pune Cantt

While the census has been gauging population growth in the city,in Pune Cantonment,many expect the number to dip from 81,000 in the last census. Several members of the Pune Cantonment Board (PCB) have been pointing to this. With enumerators on duty from February 9 to month-end,their findings would be awaited to see whether FSI restrictions have forced many to migrate to municipal corporation limits.

Some members contend people have been moving out in view of low floor space index (FSI) of 1,which limits repair and reconstruction of old houses and prevents houses,schools and business establishments from expanding infrastructure. Assistant census officer,PCB,S K Mogray,said PCB staff and employees of some aided schools will begin the census on February 9 and it will take off with the head-count of the family of the Pune collector. The team will count cantonment residents and enumerate homeless people living on roads and footpaths. “On March 1,the revisional round will be carried out in which newborns or recent deaths will be recorded,” she said.

Some PCB members are sure the census will show a dip and serve as an eye-opener for the authorities reluctant to increase FSI. “A lot of people are migrating due to FSI restrictions. Old houses are falling and people are unable to carry out adequate repairs due to FSI limits,” said Aarti Mahajan,PCB member.

She said another reason is the cantonment board sitting on applications for mutation of residential property to commercial property. “There are a number of cases of mutation pending due to which people prefer to live within PMC or PCMC. The number is nearly 120 and the matter has been taken up with the Director General Defence Estates,” Mahajan added. Mogray said,“It appears the numbers will have decreased.”