The Ministry of Defence on Sunday ordered all closed roads in cantonments to be reopened. In Secunderabad Cantonment, most closed roads lie in Bolarum area.
The order, passed days after a meeting Defence Minister Nirmala Sitaraman had with representatives of cantonment boards from across the country, also states that closure of roads will considered afresh in conformity with procedure.
Civil society organisations and representatives of resident welfare associations have protested against road closure in many cantonments, including the one in Secunderabad. The AOC roads in Secunderabad Cantonment, where night-time restrictions were placed three years ago, were thrown open to civilian traffic after 10 p.m. just last week.
Officials of the State government and army met last week to discuss alternatives for AOC roads that can be used by civilian traffic as the roads were scheduled to be closed permanently. For residents of Yapral and Bolaraum, commuting between the areas became significantly longer due to the closure of roads in the Bison Environmental Park area.
The army has stated security concerns for closing roads, while residents have alleged procedure was not followed before closure, which the Defence Ministry seems to have considered in its order.
