'They are closing roads that are already closed': Secunderabad Cantt residents protest new order

Hyderabad: Residents of the Secunderabad cantonment area organised a protest on Sunday demanding that the roads in the area be opened to the public.

On 19 October, the Secunderabad Cantonment Board said six routes within the Secunderabad cantonment would be permanently closed and inaccessible to the public. The notice also encouraged suggestions on any concerns about the closure.

The roads indicated in the announcement include Ammuguda Road (500 meters), Byam Road (500m), Albain Road (700m), Empress Road (900m), Protence Road (500m), and Richardson Road (300m).

Pankaj Sethi, a resident of the area and a researcher of Secunderabad history, explained, "First closures took place in 2013-2014. At that time, they closed the AOC roads. The LMA (local military authority) won the court cases, and we later realised the affidavits they submitted were a false representation of facts. The main point is they classified the area as A1. The roads were closed by the military, not the Cantonment Board."

He added, "Later, when we tried to look up the law, we found that A1 roads are public roads. The Act had a clear provision that A1 roads could be closed only by the Cantonment Board, not military authorities. The Cantonment Board is a municipal body."

Speaking about the ministry of Defense's order to reopen the roads, Mr. Sethi said, "When we did all this research and found all this, we sent a representation to the then Defense minister Nirmala Sitharaman. They examined the whole matter, found that what we were saying was correct, and ordered the reopening of the roads. That was good news for all cantonments in the country. More than 800 roads were closed all over the country."

Reopening orders were given in 2018 but nothing happened on the ground. Roads weren't opened.

Mr. Sethi explained the state government's attitude on the issue, "We have tried to get state governments to act on this issue. It comes under the state police's jurisdiction. But until recently, KTR made statements in the Assembly. They've had a hands-off attitude."

One resident asked, "What sense does it make to give a notice for closing roads that are already closed? They pretend as if they've followed the 2018 orders. We will not allow that. This (protest) march will end at Lakdawala junction, where Richardson road starts. They've built a wall there. They should first open a road if they want to close it."

Another resident said due to the closure of roads it is difficult for them to reach any place. "The distance increases manifold for students going to schools and colleges, or even in case of emergencies, we are left with no option but to take the longer routes."

'We will not stop until all rods are opened'

The residents organised a candlelight march from Alwal Rythu Bazar to Lakdawala junction.

"They have given the notice for permanent closure of roads and asked residents to express any grievances. They issued the notice but not many of us knew of it. Those who don't watch the news or are active on WhatsApp were not aware. How will we express our concerns? Which resident will not have an issue with road closure?" asked Ms. Sunitha, another resident of the area who was at the forefront of the march.

She added, "We will get onto the roads to protest this. It is just the start. We will not stop until all the rods are opened for public use."

The march ended at the Lakdawala junction where they placed candles and protest signs on the wall, blocking the road.

"How can they say it is a security concern when the ministry of Defense itself has ordered the roads to be opened?" asked another resident.

C.S Chandrashekhar, secretary of the Federation of Northeastern Colonies of Secunderabad (FNCS), said, "Before considering public comments, we demand that the SCB reopen those routes. The Secunderabad Cantonment Board's announcement of permanent closure of six public highways is strongly condemned."

Jakkula Maheshwar Reddy, former vice-president of Secunderabad Cantonment Board, said, "If we don't protest this now, they will continue closing roads. Our area will be cut off from the city. With this road closure, even the traffic will increase. If they want to close the roads, they must give notice in every newspaper according to section 258 of the Cantonment Act, explaining the reason. Only then can they close the roads."