Army eases AOC road ban

Hyderabad : The Army on Tuesday, softened its stand on the closure of AOC roads to civilians “considering public sentiments and immediate constraints,” and decided to extend the time for closure of roads to civil traffic in a phased manner. The fresh schedule is expected to be issued shortly. Meanwhile, the night time regulation will be relaxed by 30 minutes in the morning (restriction will be from 10 pm to 7.30 am, instead of 8 am).
A joint meeting was held at AOC on Monday, between the Army, civil authorities and the traffic department to review the restrictions being imposed on civil traffic on defence roads. “The Army establishment has sympathetically considered granting extension of additional time in a phased manner for closure of roads to civil traffic.”
“The fresh implementation schedule will be issued shortly. In the meantime, the Army authorities have called for a meeting with the Residential Welfare Associations of the neighbouring localities to discuss the matter.”
“However, the night time restrictions will be enforced with  effect from February 25, 2014, from 10 pm to 7.30 am, instead of 8 am, as announced earlier,” stated the defence authorities. Cantonment Board president Brigadier Sunil Bodhe said, “The Army has decided to extend the date of complete ban on civil movement that was on March 10.”
“A discussion with all the concerned bodies will be held on February 26, after which the new date will be announced,” he said.