Pune: Maval MP Shrirang Barne has urged the state govt to convert the Dehu Road Cantonment Board into a municipal council to ensure better delivery of civic services for residents. Barne, who represents the area in Parliament, said the cantonment board was struggling to provide basic amenities due to its poor financial condition. “I have submitted a memorandum to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis requesting him to consider this demand, as people were consistently complaining about lack of essential services,” he said.The MP had earlier met the director general of defence estates (DGDE) in New Delhi to press for merging Dehu Road with Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation. However, officials ruled out the possibility, citing the presence of sensitive defence establishments within the cantonment limits. “The DGDE informed me that such a merger cannot be done as the area houses key military units. The initiative has to come from the state govt. if conversion into a municipal council is to be considered,” Barne added.Dehu Road Cantonment houses major defence installations, including the ammunition factory, Central Ordnance Depot, and an Army Air Defence Brigade. The cantonment was formed after acquiring land from several villages on the outskirts of the twin cities of Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad.
