Army notifies Gough road closure by June 1
Contrary to the claims made by Malkajgiri MP Ch. Malla Reddy that the Gough Road will be kept open until alternative arrangements are in place, the local military authorities in an official statement confirmed that the road is intended to be closed with effect from 1 June 2017.
The Malkajgiri MP, who met defence minister Arun Jaitley in New Delhi, told this newspaper that he had raised the issue of Gough Road closure with the minister and sought an assurance that the road will remain open until the alternative roads are erected.
But, contrary to this, the LMA said, “The Army would like to clarify that no road of AOC Centre, other than Gough Road, is intended to be closed with effect from 1 June 2017. It is for the information of all concerned that as per the order of the high court of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the AOC roads — of which Gough Road is a part — are internal military roads and its control rests with the local military authority.”
It added: “The administration, training and security of the AOC Centre are being adversely affected due to this road being used as a thoroughfare since long. Accordingly, the army has carried out the implementation of traffic restrictions on some roads in a phased manner so that there is least inconvenience to the general public.”
Further, emergency vehicles such as ambulances, fire brigades and school buses will be permitted to pass through the Gough Road at all times. Restrictions for use of the roads at night will continue except for emergency vehicles.
The LMA asserted, “It is also clarified that construction of an alternative road is being actively pursued by the army with GHMC. The willingness on the part of the defence authorities to objectively examine and render assistance as required in developing alternative roads along the periphery of AOC Centre, towards Mahendra Hill, has also been communicated to the concerned authorities.”