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

Four public roads in Secunderabad Cantonment, Hyderabad, remain closed, causing concerns over access and security. The roads affected are Prontee Road, Byam Road, Richardson Road, and Ammuguda Road. Residents argue that the closures have increased travel distances, making movement between Yapral, Sainikpuri, Bolarum, and other parts of north-east Hyderabad more difficult.

The Federation of North Eastern Colonies of Secunderabad (FNECS) has questioned why these restrictions continue, even though a Ministry of Defence (MoD) order from April 2023 directed Local Military Authorities (LMA) to reopen the roads. According to the MoD, a committee was established to examine the closures of 39 roads without completing the necessary procedure to assess the need for closure due to perceived threats.

Despite the committee's recommendations, the roads were reopened as per the MoD's directives. However, they were subsequently closed again, leaving residents questioning the authority's actions. FNECS has demanded the reopening of the four roads and called for a comprehensive review of the cantonment's road network, suggesting the State government should consider taking over and widening the roads under the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC).