AOC roads shut to contain the spread of COVID: Army

Hyderabad: Military authorities at the Army Ordnance Corps (AOC) have once again announced closure of roads in view to curb spread of Corona Virus, they said.

This is the second time, the Army is citing COVID-19 to be the reason behind road closure on four civilian roads, that is Allahabad Gate, Wellington road, Gough road and Safilguda railway gate.

In an official community issued on 16th July, the Army authorities said, "To contain the heavy spread of COVID coupled with concerns of safety of all personal including civilians, the competent authority has sanctioned the closure of the road in the military establishment of Bolarum and Trimulgherry with effective from 6 AM of 18 July to 11 PM of 28 July 2020".

However, Ambulances or emergency medical cases will be permitted with proper checks and verification. The citizens are requested to cooperate with military authorities to contain the spread of the pandemic, they added.

The closure is likely to impact 3.5 lakh commuters who take these four routes every day. Sources earlier informed that 10 Army personnel were tested COVID positive, however data regarding the infected persons remained with the millitary authorities. Following this the roads were shut in June.

In response to the road closure, Federation of North Eastern Colonies of Secunderabad (FNECS) condemned the decision. "This arbitrary decision will affect over 15% of the population of the twin Cities, which stays in the northeastern areas. It is illogical to relate closure to contain the pandemic. Many roads in the Bolarum Yapral area had been already closed since March 23 without notification, causing tremendous distress to residents from Kowkoor to Marredpally. Residents had been forced to take long detours at a time when public transport is not available, a member said.