Hyderabad: The fate of 13 lakh citizens, who use the Malkajgiri Assembly constituency’s transport routes through the AOC, now depends on the outcome of a meeting between the Army, the resident welfare associations and the GHMC on January 12.
This may be Major General C.A. Pithawalla’s last meeting as he is slated to retire on January 31. RWAs wants the Army and the GHMC to finalise the route using the area behind the Uttamnagar bus stop leading to Allahabad Gate on the East Marredpally route, connecting Wellington Road to Allahabad Gate passing through the Thapar stadium. They also want a 60-foot road along the railway track from Safilguda Gate to Ramakrishnapuram Gate, which would cater to the residents of Sainikpuri till Radhika junction.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Major General Pithawalla said, “Before I retire, I want to do my best as the new officer will take some time to understand the issue.”
On Monday, in the presence of the GHMC officials, a final decision will be taken on alternative routes once the complete regulation on AOC roads are imposed. The Army will ensure that certain parcels of land are handed over for construction of these routes.
Meanwhile, the Trimulgherry junction has been recommended for modification, into a big free-flowing triangular island facilitating smooth one-way traffic movement by utilising the vacant space in Survey No. 292, which is under state government control.
“Members of as many as 60 RWAs in the Malkajgiri Assembly constituency will be affected by the outcome of the meeting. Major General Pithawalla is aware of the issue. However, after his retirement, the new officer would have to be briefed. The RWAs request to both the GHMC and the Army to expedite the proposal, submit the same to the ministry of defence for approval, and construct the alternative routes without inconveniencing the commuters,” said the RWA members.
Taking strong objection to the ‘closure of roads’ in Cantonment areas, Union defence minister Manohar Parrikar, at a conference in Pune said, “The defence ministry has issued specific directions to all defence departments across the country regarding the same after nearly 72 petitions were received.” The minister added that directives regarding the closure of roads had been issued, and it would be mandatory for the defence authorities to follow them.
