The Army has been closing roads within the Secunderabad cantonment after 2014, without following the due process. The public in and near the cantonment continues to suffer.

Last week, KT Ramarao, Minister for IT and Municipal Administration, said the state assembly – “We have been complaining to the central government but nothing seems to work. The Local Army Authorities continue to block roads in Secunderabad. Recently, they (the Army) built an illegal check dam near Golconda that has caused major hygiene and sanitation issues in that area”. The Minister further stated that, if need be, the state government will have to shut down water and electricity to the cantonment.

A strong statement from a Minister, but then the Army bosses repeatedly refused to follow orders from the Ministry of Defence. The height is that the Army authorities have little regard for orders from Army Headquarters too.

The road closure is an 8-year-old problem and has roots in the history and development of Secunderabad. Secunderabad and Aurangabad cantonments are different from the other 60 cantonments.

Pankaj Sethi, a resident of Secunderabad, and a researcher, has dug out all pertinent documents related to this issue. His research is amazing and throws light on a very different aspect of the cantonment. Pankaj Sethi comments on the topic.

There appears to be truth in what KCR, the Chief Minister, has been saying – “The cantonment lands belong to the state government and not to the Central Government’.

See the full episode for a true eye-opener and a historical perspective to this road closure issue by the Indian Army in Secunderabad Cantonment.

Thank you for watching. Your comments are always welcome.

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Tags: Army Roads, Featured, KCR, KT Ramarao, KTR, Secunderabad, Telangana