With the Army authorities imposing restrictions on the roads passing through AOC centre as ‘No thoroughfares’ for civilian traffic from Tuesday, residents, politicians and others are up in arms against the move and are demanding that the authorities shelve such plans.
The Army will impose restrictions in two phases on Safilguda-Marredpally, Trimulgherry-AOC Centre, and Secunderabad Club-AOC Centre stretches.
Roads to be closed
In the first phase, the roads will be closed between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. for civilian traffic from February 25 to March 9 and from March 10 onwards the restrictions will be in place permanently.
Protesting the move, a group of students, employees and others led by social activist Yamuna Pathak conducted a rally from R.K. Puram flyover to Army School near Military Hospital.
Army authorities are citing security and accidents as reasons for blocking the roads, but that is not acceptable.
People have been using these roads since decades and blocking them now would cause lot of inconvenience to residents, she said.
“Isn’t it strange that the Army is more worried about its own security than the common man?
“If security is the main issue, they could impose speed limit for motorists and work out other alternate measures, but this was not expected,” said Ms. Pathak.
In the meantime, Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB)-elected board members have decided to take up the issue with the Army authorities during the Board meeting likely to be held on February 25.
Tough time
“This is happening time and again, it cannot be tolerated anymore. People will face lot of troubles and it can’t be allowed,” said V. Jayaprakash, SCB vice-president.
Other agendas that are to be discussed during the meeting include extension of 90 days for Rudram Constructions and Power Private Limited to commence garbage-to-power project at Vattinagulapally, building plan approvals and others.
