The Ministry of Defense (MoD) on October 12, 2026, issued the Draft Ahmedabad Cantonment Building Bye-Laws, 2026.
The following has been stated:
• The draft establishes procedures for obtaining building-plan approval and regulates new construction, reconstruction, additions and alterations. Applicants shall submit applications, drawings and supporting documents through the e-Chhawani portal, with plans prepared through registered architects and relevant technical professionals. Building proposals shall comply with applicable Defence Ministry land policies, lease or old-grant conditions, structural-safety requirements and relevant building standards.
• The draft divides Ahmedabad Cantonment into Zone I, covering notified civilian areas, and Zone II, covering other land, including old-grant properties, private land and leases outside the notified civil area. It prescribes requirements for site and building plans, parking, drainage, rainwater harvesting, sanitation, accessibility, structural stability and fire safety. Basements are subject to prescribed building limits and generally restricted to uses such as storage, building services and parking, rather than residential or commercial occupation.
• The competent authority may revoke building-plan sanctions for false declarations, concealment or deviations from approved plans, after providing a reasonable opportunity to be heard. Applicants shall notify the Chief Executive Officer before commencing work and submit a completion notice within 30 days of completion; an occupancy certificate is issued following inspection and confirmation of compliance. Existing unauthorized construction may be considered for compounding, subject to applicable statutory restrictions and the discretion of the Cantonment Board or General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, as applicable.
• Objections and suggestions to these draft rules are invited by November 14, 2026 (Saturday).
[Notification No. - S.R.O. 75(E)]
