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Army shelves its move to impose day curbs for now

Army official said at least one or two hit-and-run and road accidents were being reported every day
Hyderabad: Army authorities have volunteered to allocate land for the development of the alternative routes finalised by the committee comprising resident welfare associations.
Earlier, the Army had set a deadline for the implementation of a complete ban on civilian traffic on AOC roads from January 1, 2015. However, following requests from the Resident Welfare Associations, the deadline has been withdrawn. The joint meeting was attended by Major-General Cyrus Addie Pithawalla, the General Officer Commanding, Andhra Sub-Area; Daleep Singh, Commandant (AOC); and other Commandant rank officers of the Army.
Representing the civilians were the RWAs from Safilguda, Malkajgiri, ECIL, AS Rao Nagar and RK Puram.
Major-General Pithawalla said, “We have decided to impose the traffic restrictions for three reasons: 1. Security; 2. The fact that the defence establishments are located amid civil areas and 3. To regulate traffic. However, we have identified alternative ways, like by-lanes and free accessibility to the main roads for the convenience of commuters.
“It has become a tough job for our trainees to cross the roads as 50 per cent of the training institutions are located on the main roads. Also, many defence establishments are located on the main roads,” he added.
The Army official said at least one or two hit-and-run and road accidents were being reported every day. “The Secunderabad Cantonment Board has already widened the roads. Before imposing traffic restrictions, the Army had made efforts like displaying notices on main roads, issuing official statements and educating people residing in colonies adjoining the Army roads,” he added.
Malkajgiri MP Ch. Malla Reddy, who is also a member of the standing committee on defence issues, said that he has already submitted a representation to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence with regard to this issue and had also held talks with Union defence minister Arun Jaitley, the chairman of the committee.
The Army has decided to restrict traffic moving from SP Road/East Marredpally towards Allahabad Gate (Entrancement road), between Secunderabad Club, Picket/West Marredpally towards Wellington Enclave (Wellington Road) and Safilguda junction towards Safilguda railway crossing (Ordnance road) and Mornington Road, according to an official release issued. The restriction will start from October 1 at 10 pm.
Important Highlights
Andhra Sub Area authorities have asked to form a committee with not more than five people from RWAs and work on the following lines:
1. Civilian committee in consultations with Army officials-AOC to arrive at a solution to find alternative routes, which can developed.
2. Army will not close its roads during day from January 1, 2015, until alternative roads are developed having targeted time schedule.
3. Army will also come forward and allocate some land to develop alternative routes once the RWA civilian committee finalises the plan of action.
4. Army is ready to work through RWAs with civic authorities like GHMC, R&B and HMDA to arrive at a solution for this problem.
However, there won’t be any ban on ambulances and in cases of emergencies. The RTC buses will be allowed during the restricted timings till the State Road Transport department finds alterative routes. That apart, school buses and autos will be allowed as well.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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