cantonment

(cantt). Military-civilian townships first set up by the British. The first cantonment came up in Barrackpore, West Bengal, in 1765, and there are currently 62 cantonments in India. The purpose of the cantonment was to provide the support structure to military establishments like schools, bazaars, recreation areas, etc. They are governed by cantonment boards with a mix of elected civilian and government/military members.
Cantonments usually comprise prime land and with increasing urbanization, have become points of friction. Over time, arterial roads or highways pass through cantonments, and the civilian population has burgeoned with problems like encroachments.

Hence, the Government of India has taken a decision to disband these cantonments starting with Yol Cantt in Himachal Pradesh in 2023.