AOC to extend curbs by a few hours, residents wary

Hyderabad: Two-wheelers would be the first target of AOC officials who intend to extend the restrictions on civilian movement on its roads from October 1. The restrictions, it is learnt, will be advanced in a phased manner. Nearly one lakh people commute on these roads every day.

However, no official announcement has been made by the army in this respect. Residents’ associations are planning to have a meeting with army officials on Monday to register their protest and demand that any decision to extend the traffic restriction timings should be dropped.

According to a source, the time for traffic regulations would be extended by a few hours. Residents alleged that the Army’s aim was to discourage civilians from using this route. Earlier, there had been surprise checks on the roads, which led to major traffic jams, especially during peak hours.

Suresh Kumar, general secretary of the Anand Bagh Safilguda welfare association said, “The rumoured decision by the army has created a sense of fear among the citizens residing in many colonies in and around Safilguda, who use these roads day in and day out. Residents are totally worried as they would have difficulty dropping their children to schools in Secunderabad and reaching their offices and other institutions on time, after the cut-off date. No alternative route is available as of now towards Secunderabad that can accommodate the traffic plying on these stretches.”

Meanwhile, the Army has gone ahead with the construction of a huge gate at the Allahabad entrance in East Marredpally. Till date, the promised visit of the two-member defence ministry team has not taken place, and there is no effort towards creating alternative routes. Around 20 residents welfare associations had met on September 25 and decided to hold a protest if nothing was done to stop restrictions from the Army.

“The traffic right from Alwal, Yapral, Bolarum Safilguda, Neredmet, Marredpally, Bowenpally, Tirumalagiri, Sainikpuri etc will be affected and the choking points will be the Rajiv Rahadari, Tirumalgiri, Alwal, Secunderabad Club, Marredpally, Safilguda and Lalaguda,” said Ashwin Nallari Naidu, secretary of the United Fderation of RWA.

AOC CO Dalip Singh and SCB CEO Sujatha Gupta were unavailable for a response.