Hyderabad: Minister K.T. Rama Rao on Wednesday urged defence officials to reconsider the Army’s decision to close roads that are used by civilians.
During a review meeting with GHMC officials, the minister requested defence officials for a year’s exemption to give time to the government to develop alternative roads.
He said the decision put as many as 10 lakh civilians in trouble. He told officials to meet with their Army counterparts and try to persuade them. “The Governor has already discussed the issue with the defence top brass during his Delhi visit. I shall talk to defence minister Manohar Parrikar. I hope they will respond positively,” he said.
He called the chief secretary over phone and asked him to arrange a coordination meeting with military officials and the government. He also spoke to the SCB vice-chairman over phone and enquired about the resolutions passed by the board in its meeting.
He directed GHMC officials to come up with a plan for the alternative roads and asked them to gear up road construction works. He said Army-government relations would not be affected, no matter the outcome of his request.
