Defence seeks 1,500 acres for shooting range

A request by the defence ministry has led the state government to look for a 1,500-acre plot where army personal can practice long-range firing. The department had asked for about 2,500 acres but the government will allot between 1,000 and 1,500 acres depending on availability. The government has asked all district collectors to send details of available land that can be allotted for this purpose in their districts.

The defence ministry told the government that existing ranges are sufficient for shortrange practice, but Army personal are unable to practice long-range shooting due to space shortage.

Many rifle ranges in and around Hyderabad have been closed due to the mushrooming of residential areas and public opposition.

Officials said that at present there two functional ranges, one at Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory at Kanchanbagh and another at Badangpet. They added that they would have to zero in on available land and check for any opposition from public in case that land is allotted to the defence department for shooting practice.

The officials said they and the defence ministry would have to take many precautions to ensure the safety of people in that area. Any mishaps or accidents near the range can be avoided if proper care is taken.

A senior IAS officer admitted that collectors had been asked to send details of open plots, but no location had been finalised. The state government will take the final decision on this, he said.