SCB-GHMC merger: Secunderabad’s northeast colonies seek connectivity on par with rest of the city

Hyderabad: The Federation of North Eastern Colonies of Secunderabad (FNECS) said improvement in connectivity was one of their primary demands when it came to the merger of the Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB) and the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC). Connectivity should be developed in par with the rest of the city, said representatives of FNECS during a press meeting on Monday.

The North Eastern Secunderabad comprises of areas to the east of Rajiv Rahadari, such as Kowkoor, Balaji Nagar, Yapral, Sainikpuri, Vayupuri, A S Rao Nagar, ECIL, Neredmet, Safilguda, Malkajgiri.

“As part of the merger, jurisdiction over all public roads in the cantonment should be handed over to an agency under the state of Telangana (such as GHMC) immediately. This includes all roads in Secunderabad Cantonment which are classified either ‘A1’ or ‘C’ in the General Land Register (GLR) of the cantonment. This agency must ensure that all these roads are open to the public, including public transport. It must also ensure that these roads are developed to meet modern standards of traffic capacity, safety, and speed,” FNECS said in a statement.

The association also said that while giving jurisdiction of roads to this agency, sufficient land must also be made available for road widening, junction improvements, grade separation at level crossings and important junctions, safety aids, additional roads, and link roads, metro rail connectivity, etc.

Another demand was regarding providing recreational and sports facilities. “There are vast open lands available inside the cantonment, such as Military Dairy Farm, Parade Grounds, and several others. These lands must pass into the jurisdiction of the state. Some of these may be developed as public sports facilities such as stadiums, practice grounds, swimming pools, etc., on par with the best in the world,” the Federations said.

It added, “There is a lot of open land on the sides of the roads passing through cantonment. Some of this should be used to provide cycling and jogging tracks. Other lands may be used to provide auditoriums, places for cultural programmes, places for selling handicraft and other local products. If handled with vision, responsibility and empathy, Secunderabad can emerge as a hub of sports and recreational activity and a catalyst for showcasing local products.”

On 5 January, it was announced that the merger of the Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB) with the GHMC was in the offing. Constitution of a committee to separate civil areas from military areas in the Secunderabad Cantonment Board is on the cards, a circular from the ministry of Defence to the secretary, Telangana ministry of administration and urban development, said.