Hyderabad: Truth Behind the Army’s Road Closure in Secunderabad Cantonment, a booklet written by the affected residents, states that though the Army is quoting security concerns for the restrictions, the fact is that they want to put an end to civilian movement. So far, 10 routes have been closed.
The booklet’s cover page has DC’s stories on route regulation. It has been handed over to defence officials asking them to study the history of the area before any further restrictions are imposed.
Pankaj Sethi, a resident of Balaji Nagar said, “Over the last two-three years, over 10 km of roads in Cantonment Yapral/Balajinagar/Bolarum/AOC has been closed — either totally or during certain hours. The Army has taken the stand that the closed roads are internal military roads on A1 Defence land and therefore the ministry order on reopening all roads does not apply. However, the fact is that these closed roads are actually public routes. All the closed roads are more than 100 years old, these routes are shown in maps of Secunderabad and Bolarum dating back to 1923, prepared under the authority of the then surveyor general of India, Col. Charles Henry Dudley Ryder. None of these roads lie inside Unit lines, unless the entire military area of over 10 sq. km are is claimed to be a unit.”
Residents state that the booklet discloses facts about the various issues related to the road closure. A copy of the booklet was presented to the defence minister by representatives of UFERWAS during their meeting on August 6.
“There are of course military centres for training jawans but each of these has its own boundary, none of the closed roads are within these walls; therefore the routes are not internal but roads which happen to pass through areas having military establishments,” mentioned residents.
The 12-page booklet includes maps showing the roads closed and highlights the worst affected areas and has information since the Army started closing.
