Rajnath Singh urges IDES to transform cantonments into smart, green urban ecosystems

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday called upon the Indian Defence Estates Service (IDES) officers to strive for the development of Cantonment Boards into smart, green, and sustainable urban ecosystems.

Singh made the call while addressing a gathering during ‘MANTHAN 2025’, a two-day national conference organised by the Directorate General of Defence Estates (DGDE) on the central theme ‘Strategic Roadmap to Viksit Bharat @2047’, here on Thursday.

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In his keynote address, the Defence Minister appreciated IDES officers for successfully fulfilling a dual responsibility, managing over 18 lakh acres of defence land and ensuring the welfare of civilians residing in 61 cantonments pan-India. He stressed the need to develop cantonments like modern cities by continuously upgrading systems and processes to make service delivery more efficient, transparent, and citizen-friendly.

“We must increase digital services so that people can avail transparent and timely services from home. We must increase citizen participation so that the residents become partners in the future planning of cantonments. We must transform Cantonment Boards into modern, transparent, and accountable institutions that can deliver services that meet the demands of the times. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that cantonment residents have the best civic amenities and a quick grievance redressal mechanism,” he added.

Understanding the need to enhance the ease of living for residents, the Defence Minister advocated advancing digital platforms such as e-Chhawani 2.0 with the inclusion of AI-driven grievance redressal, multilingual services, and smart health. “There is a need to specifically focus on the welfare of the poor, the disabled, senior citizens, and special children in the Cantonments,” he said, adding that future cantonments need to be smart, equipped with smart power systems, renewable energy grids, EV charging hubs, smart waste-to-energy plants, and AI-based surveillance systems.

He also endorsed financially independent IDES and Cantonment Boards, urging them to brainstorm on the subject and prepare a framework for the realisation of the vision. He also appreciated their resolve to create eco-friendly Cantonment Boards. “Today, when greenery is on a decline, cantonments show us that development and environment can go hand in hand,” he said.

Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, Director General Defence Estates (DGDE) Shailendra Nath Gupta, and DGDE-designate Shobha Gupta were among those who attended the event.

The conference focuses on the evolving role of DGDE in re-imagining defence land management, leveraging advanced digital tools and technologies, and strengthening governance frameworks and sustainability. It is witnessing a series of sessions and lectures by senior government functionaries and domain experts on topics critical to the future of land management in the defence sector.