In a major relief for commuters in Secunderabad, the Local Military Authority (LMA) has agreed for an alternative route from Safilguda to Allahabad Gate at AOC, keeping in mind, the closure of the Gough Road.
However, the LMA raised a few objections to the second road on the RK Puram-Safilguda route.
The development came after a meeting between officials of the LMA and Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), and agreed to exchange 34 acres of land, to build alternative roads.
The LMA delegation was headed by Major General N. Srinivas Rao, General Officer Commanding, Telangana & Andhra Sub Area, while the GHMC delegation was led by Commissioner Dr B Janardhan Reddy.
The Gough Road is used by more than 1 lakh residents everyday, and connects various parts of Secunderabad with Hyderabad.
The issue has been contentious, ever since a proposal to close the road in February 2014, with the LMA stating that the, "administration, training and security of AOC Centre are being adversely affected due to this road being used as a thoroughfare."
The deadline for the closure has been extended several times over the past three years, after representations were made to the Centre.
"The LMA has temporarily withdrawn proposals for closure of Gough Road in Secunderabad Cantonment. The Army has agreed to keep the road open until May 2018. Two roads were identified as a substitute for the cantonment roads. The first step is to speed up the construction of the road connecting Marredpally-Entrenchment Road to Safilguda Railway Cross. Army officers agreed to continue the status quo until 2018," the GHMC chief was quoted as saying.
In the last week of November, confusion prevailed after the LMA installed a board near the National Security Guards (NSC) training centre, that stated that Gough Road would be closed to civilians from the next day. However, it was removed later in the evening.
Meanwhile, the GHMC said that construction of alternative roads would begin soon.
The municipal body submitted a Detailed Project Report (DPR) and sought Rs 115 crore, to lay alternate roads earlier this year.