Army authorities in Seunderabad's cantonment area on Tuesday, released a statement, confirming that the Telangana government and the Hyderabad police have been notified about the closure of the Gough road.
The Gough Road is used by thousands of residents of Marredpally, Trimulgherry, Sainikpuri as a link to travel to various areas of Hyderabad and this statement by the army comes after a long battle between the people and the authorities.
"The state government and the police have been notified about the closure of Gough Road. The other roads would continue to remain open during the day for some more time as concerned agencies explore alternative roads. The Army is willing to provide assistance and we urge all agencies to complete arrangements fast. Emergency vehicles, like ambulances, fire engines, private vehicles with critical patients etc. would be allowed to go through AOC roads," Deccan Chronicle quotes the statement as saying.
The army also said that it is willing to give land leading to Mahendra Hills, and is waiting for a response from the state government.
A legal battle has been on, since February 2014, with resident welfare associations taking the army's decision to the High Court and even meeting with Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar twice, to request him to stop the blockage of the road.
Hitting out at the associations, the army also said "Ironically, the ire of the public appears to be directed at the Army which has no direct role in providing civic amenities, rather than at those who are obliged to provide essential services.”
The closing of Gough Road, is expected to double the traffic on the already congested Trimulgherry Road.