Defence ministry seeks report on road closure for civilians in Ambala cantt

AMBALA : The ministry of defence has sought a detailed report regarding closure of roads for civilians in Ambala Cantonment and has asked the Cantonment Board (CB) chief executive officer (CEO) to reply by May 10.

They claimed that following a series of representations from the cantonments from the country, defence minister Nirmala Sitaramana had on May 4, held a meeting of all CB vice-presidents and 25 MPs, who represent cantonments across the country.

From Ambala, MP Rattan Lal Kataria and CB vice-president Ajay Baweja were at the meeting.

Baweja said a representation through state health minister Anil Vij, who represents the cantonment, was sent in which it was pointed out that over one lakh civilians living in cantt area face difficulties as the army authorities have blocked the Mall Road, Staff Road, Bhrind Road and Alexandra Road.

Baweja said traffic management was the responsibility of the CB but the local military administration (LMA) has blocked the roads without consulting CB.

On January 6, a protest was held when army authorites wanted to construct barricades to block the entry of civilian vehicles in the cantonment and provided an alternate route through Topkhana Bazar area.

The work was halted when the protesters demolished the pillars.

In the letter, a copy of which is with the HT, the ministry has sought clarifications particularly on two aspects, one of the roads which have been closed by the LMA and if these roads pass through A-1 defence land or Class ‘C’ cantonment land.

The second aspect is whether these roads were being used by civilians before they were closed in 2014.

In the letter that has been sent to all 64 cantonments across the country, the deputy director general (cantonments), Saline Pander, has asked the CEOs to ascertain whether these roads are unit line roads.