Four roads in Secunderabad Cantonment shut, residents question compliance with 2023 Defence Ministry order

Four public roads in Secunderabad Cantonment area of Hyderabad remain at the centre of a dispute over access, security and the implementation of a Ministry of Defence (MoD) order issued more than three years ago. | Photo Credit: NAGARA GOPAL

Four public roads in Secunderabad Cantonment area of Hyderabad remain at the centre of a dispute over access, security and the implementation of a Ministry of Defence (MoD) order issued more than three years ago. Residents say the closures have increased travel distances and made movement between Yapral, Sainikpuri, Bolarum and other parts of north-east Hyderabad more difficult. The closed roads include Prontee Road, Byam Road, Richardson Road and Ammuguda Road. 

The road closure has raised questions about the 2023 order by MoD which directed the Local Military Authorities ( LMA) to reopen the roads. The Federation of North Eastern Colonies of Secunderabad (FNECS) has questioned why the restrictions continue and whether the procedure prescribed under the Cantonments Act, 2006, was followed before the roads were shut.

What does the 2023 Defence Ministry order say?