The Southern Command Headquarters had to intervene in Pune to prevent the construction of a major commercial complex bang opposite the Army Supply Depot on 8-A Lothian Road since it could pose major security risks. This, when the Director of Defence Estates (DDE) is learnt to have gone ahead and sanctioned the proposal in their wisdom. The Depot takes care of the civil supplies like the ration, petrol, diesel, clothes, vegetables and meat for the troops in Southern Command.

Kalpataru Builders who had taken the development rights for Bungalow No 8-A on Lothian Road -- a 3.15 acre plot held by R M Master had sought permission from the Pune Cantonment Board (PCB) for a residential-cum-shopping complex with 58 shops on the ground floor and 23 residential rooms on the first floor. Since this was a leasehold property, as per procedure, an NOC is required by the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C), Southern Command in writing for conversion of the property.

Legal advisor to Southern Command headquarters in this case Netra Prakash Bhog maintained that no written permission was granted by GOC-in-C in this case resulting in serious objections by the army officials. But this was not to be in the case of 8-A Lothian Road. Bhog revealed that the headquarters was not in favour of a commercial complex and had expressed fears this could end up becoming extensions of M G Road and East Street.

Permission for the commercial building would also mean that Coyaji Road would not be available to the army for its own use. Firstly, it was felt that the plot was too close to the Supply Depot and falls in the category of army officers accommodation. Moreover, houses for Chief of Staff and Commandant of AFMC were also located in this zone. In case the commercial structure came up as per the submission of the building plan, it would result into uncontrolled influx of civilians in the area.

The headquarters feared that the possible entry of anti-social and anti-national elements would not be in the interest of security from the military point of view. The officials were of the opinion that the area would become over-congested due to the continuous movement of army vehicles in the vicinity of Supply Depot and the civil traffic would further add to the congestion.

Moreover, the area near the Supply Depot has three petrol pumps. An opinion was expressed that permission for the erection of a commercial complex could be refused under Section 81 of the Cantonment Land and Administration Rules if it results in overcrowding or in the interests of persons residing in such limits. Following the rejection by Southern Command headquarters however, Kalpataru Builders filed a writ petition in the Bombay High Court in November 1997 seeking permission for the building. The matter is pending before the court.