New DelHI: India has planned to disband cantonments and convert them into “Exclusive military stations”, reported Times of India and Hindustan Times. As per news reports published day earlier, 62 cantonments around country will be converted to military stations with Indian Army exercising “Absolute control” over them.

Moreover, civilian areas will be merged with local municipalities, which will be responsible for their maintenance among other things. Under plan, first cantonment to be renamed military station was Yol in Himachal Pradesh, with Secunderabad and Nasirabad among cantonments set to be shrunk. The Times of India quoted an official saying, “Process will be faster in cantonments where demarcation between civil and military areas is easy. Others will take time.” However, according to report, not all cantonments will become military stations as some army and civilian pockets are intertwined.

Move will reportedly benefit civilians who were not getting access to state government welfare schemes. Change is also set to enable Army to focus more on developing military stations. “To be sure, not all cantonments are likely to become military stations as army and civilian pockets are intertwined and that may not permit segregation,” report added.

Published in The Daily National Courier, May, 04 2023

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