The Army establishment of Andhra Sub Area on Friday agreed to defer the January 1 blockade of Gough and Wellington Roads during a high-level meeting with Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan. The deferred date was not decided.
The Army had earlier decided that these roads be closed to prevent vehicles from Secunderabad Club and R.K. Puram area coming to AOC centre. Last week, GHMC and traffic authorities requested the army to defer closure until alternative roads were developed. The GHMC had also raised demands for defence lands to develop alternate roads. The Governor’s meeting was necessitated as there was no word from army on deferring the closure.
At Friday’s meeting attended by GOC Andhra Sub Area Major General C.N. Pithawala, GHMC Commissioner Somesh Kumar and Secunderabad Cantonment Board CEO Sujatha Gupta, the Governor is learnt to have iterated army concerns even as he asked both sides to discuss options present. Development of alternative roads along periphery of army areas and underpass through some of the areas were among the options broadly discussed, though no decisions regarding alternative options were taken.
Widening of narrow roads like Tukaram Gate was also discussed, even as officials agreed that congestion free roads, even if slightly circuitous, would be acceptable to the public. Army and civic authorities are said to have expressed willingness to discuss the matter in order to arrive at a solution that suits all.
While the closure has been deferred, the night restriction of not allowing vehicles through AOC area between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. remains.
The decision to close roads taken early this year drew protests from residents living in the areas affected by the blockade, following which the High Court of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana was petitioned by Resident Welfare Associations. The court ruled in September that control of the roads vests with the army. Consequently, as part of the first phase of restrictions night blockades were imposed in October. The January 1 closure was part of second phase restrictions.
