Hyderabad: The Army is closing Gough Road (All Saints Church Road up to AOC swimming pool) to civilians 24/7 from December 1, 2015. No entry permit will be given by the Army authorities to anyone. The ban will not be applicable to emergency vehicles.
The Army has also displayed boards at the junction cross roads warning of the closure. The board says, ‘Road closure from December 1, 2015 (citing HC order dated September 26, 2014). It adds, “In consonance with the orders of the High Court dated September 26, 2014 and also considering security and functional requirements the public is hereby informed that this road (Gough Road) shall be closed to traffic from December 1, 2015. Emergency vehicles will be permitted.”
Ms M. Alexander, a resident of Balaji Colony, RK Puram told DC, “The road from Officers Crossroads to AOC swimming pool will be closed from December 1. Due to this there is going to be a lot of problems for people living in RK Puram, Sainikpuri, ECIL, Yapral, Ammuguda and surrounding areas who have only this road as the Trimulgherry Road is far away. This will also create congestion. I am unable to understand why the Army is bent on closing the roads.”
Mr Pankaj Sethi, a resident of Balaji Nagar added, “The Army has already constructed compound walls. We made a request to the CM and the elected representatives from Malkajgiri (both MP and MLA), Cantonment MLA and the GHMC commissioner along with local RWAs to tell the Army not to close the roads. There is no security threat on this road as the only installations here are the AOC swimming pool and some residential quarters. The AOC Centre gate has tight security with compound walls.” The military hospital, officers mess and NSG area are secured.”
Although lakhs will be affected the only action taken so far taken by the TS government is a letter by the CM requesting the defence minister to postpone the road closure until there is an alternative. However, there was no response to that.
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