Residents demand separate hearing from Parrikar

Last year, there was a spate of meetings with Maval and Shirur MPs, and even with Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar regarding the issue, but no final order was given in writing even as he has assured to look into the matter. The MPs, in their assurance, had promised that the limit would be reduced from 2,000 yards to 500 metres.

Created under the Works of Defence Act, 1903, the red zone is a no-development zone around defence establishments like ammunition depots and factories to prevent any damage to human life and property in the event of a mishap at these establishments.

The 2,000 yard red zone was marked to create a no-development zone outside its boundaries. This area covers parts of Dehu Road cantonment, PCMC and Pimpri-Chinchwad New Township Development Authority limits, affecting as many as 50,000 houses in the areas.

Residents who have demanded a meeting have also put forth a draft gazette published on December 26, 2002, which showed the affected areas under the red zone of 2,000 yards around the entire depot instead of the proposed 500-600 yards on two sides, and they feel that there needs to be a change in the same.

With the proposal of restrictions going to the district administration, it claimed to have conducted a survey and recce of the land, but said that the actual measurement and maps would incur a cost which has to be borne by the defence authorities.

“We have already written to them to bear the cost for measurement and maps, but there has been no response yet. The revenue department too has stated that it is defence authorities who have to bear the cost,’’ said a senior official from the revenue branch.

The administration had put in their report that defence authorities would have to bear the estimated expense of Rs 7 crore for the entire demarcation process, including Rs 43 lakh for construction of a boundary.