The army has announced June 1 closure of Gough Road, making its permanent closure seemingly imminent and that of State’s efforts to keep it open, futile.
The army decided to close roads in AOC about two years ago, beginning with night restrictions between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. The decision to permanently close these roads, citing security and traffic congestion, was put off on multiple occasions due to public pressure on the State, and subsequently on the Defence Ministry.
Five months ago, the army agreed to yet another deferment of Gough Road closure for six months, after Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao requested Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar to keep the roads open. Mr. Rao’s bargain in return was speedy development of alternatives to AOC roads that leave the latter untouched by the general public. The deferred deadline elapses on May 31.
AOC administration recently put up notices on entrance and exit of Gough Road, informing about the road’s closure in consonance with a High Court order in army’s favour. Road access will be granted to only emergency vehicles, the notices read.
Gough Road closure is expected to affect tens of thousands commuting to R.K Puram, MCEME and Trimulgherry from Secunderabad. It is also expected to put immense pressure on Trimulgherry traffic junction, now witnessing daily congestions between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. after AOC is restricted to entry in the night. The Secunderabad Cantonment Board planned widening of the junction to smoothen the flow but delays in property acquisition have slowed progress. Concerned by the approaching deadline and groused by closure of roads further north of AOC, civilian groups under the banner of OSCAR (Open Secunderabad Cantonment Roads) along with TJAC convenor Prof. M. Kodandaram had planned an interaction with political representatives, including Malkajigiri Member of Parliament Ch. Malla Reddy, Cantonment MLA. G. Sayanna and the elected ward members of Secunderabad Cantonment. None of the political representatives attended the discussion.
