Residents Protest Road Closures in Secunderabad Cantonment
Tensions are rising in Secunderabad as residents protest against the ongoing closure of public roads in the Secunderabad Cantonment. The issue has sparked a long-standing debate over civilian access to these roads, with the Federation of North Eastern Colonies of Secunderabad (FNECS) opposing the Army’s decision to restrict movement.
The main point of conflict is the Army’s reported plan to set up military stations and its demand for compensation from the Telangana government for certain lands. However, local residents argue that this land belongs to the State. The road closures have severely affected over 20 lakh people living in three Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) circles—Malkajgiri, Alwal, and Kapra—as well as five wards under the Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB).
Despite clear instructions from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) against unapproved road closures, access to these roads remains restricted. This has caused frustration among the public. “The number of people using these roads is huge. Any closure leads to traffic problems and creates difficulties for residents,” said C.S. Chandrashekhar, secretary of FNECS.
Military authorities have proposed offering alternative land for the construction of new roads but are demanding compensation at commercial rates. However, FNECS argues that while new roads may be useful, they cannot replace the existing roads that have been in public use for over 200 years.
“All Cantonment roads have always been public. The Army has no right to close them without proper reason,” said the Federation. Residents worry that if these restrictions continue, it could set a precedent for more road closures in the future, worsening traffic congestion and cutting off communities.
Civic groups are now urging the Telangana government to take action and ensure that public access to these roads is maintained. As the dispute remains unresolved, the issue is becoming a major point of conflict between civilian authorities and the defence establishment.
