OSCAR: ROAD SHOULDN’T BE CLOSED WITHOUT NOTICE

The Open Secunderabad Cantonment All Roads (OSCAR) alleged that the Local Military Authority had invoked Section 258 of the Cantonments Act in closing the road near the Cantonment Public Garden.

There was no official word about the road closure from the LMA. There was no clarity if civilian vehicles would be completely barred from using the road.

According to OSCAR, a road should not be closed without giving public notice and inviting objections and suggestions from public.

It said nine roads had been closed for civilians and entry was barred between 10 pm and 7 am on another three.

Brigadier M.D. Upadhyay, deputy general officer commanding, Telangana and Andhra Sub Area, and president of Secunderabad Cantonment Board, said he was not aware of the decision.

When contacted Cantonment chief executive officer S.V.R. Chandrashekar said that they are not sure whether particular road was a unit line or an SCB road.

“If it is a unit line, nothing much can be done as per directions of High Court. If it happens to be a cantonment road, we will ensure it is re-opened,” he said.

A resident said the area had private bungalows including a private school and an old theatre and could not be a unit line.

Mr S. Chandrashekar, member of India Against Corruption, who is actively involved in the fight against the closure of roads, said the Cantonment law was violated. He hoped that Cantonment residents would meet defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman and bring the issue to her notice.