Attempts by the Army to declare certain roads in the Cantonment area long used by civilians, as out of bounds to them now, has predictably raised an outcry. Army authorities allege that the training of more than 12,000 troops is seriously affected as roads in the Army establishments are being used as civilian thoroughfares. But the traffic police complaint that blocking of roads for military training during peak hours causes chaos. They have taken up the matter with the district administration, which in turn has made a representation to the Army authorities.
The administration is pleading that thousands of commuters use these roads and do not have any alternative. They urge that prior notice about the training schedule could bring respite to both parties and the traffic can be diverted to Trimulgherry, Malkajgiri etc. well in advance.The roads in question are not closed at all times and the Army requires them only on certain days for running and other training exercises.
While the district administration on the insistence of the traffic police has taken up the matter with the Andhra sub-area commander here, the Army has made it more than clear that its roads are not a public thoroughfare and the administration should responsibly and dutifully stop civilians from using them as ‘short cuts.’ Traffic in Trimulgherry, Secunderabad and Bolarum is thrown into chaos when the roads are closed for military training during rush hours, but the Army is adamant that its training schedules cannot be changed and that civilians cannot use these roads.