‘Intentional’ say commuters

 

This route provides connectivity to around six lakh citizens living in Malakajgiri Assembly constituency. It may be recalled that the Army administration has used Rs 39 lakh of Secunderabad Cantonment Board’s funds to repair roads in the AOC.

 

SCB’s funds (civilian’s tax money) were spent on improving the roads  AOC centre Safilguda road, Mahendra Hills road, RSC Club road. In fact, the AOC-Safilguda road was re-carpeted thrice in recent times, with Rs 13 lakh spent each time.

 

Other stretches like Mornington road, RSC Club road, Bolarum, Mahendra Hills-Allahabad Gate road and others were developed by the Cantonment Board. 

Shakeel Ahmed, resident of Anand Bagh and a frequent commuter, said, “The Safiguda road is very narrow and cramped during peak hours, and now with the large potholes, commuters are discouraged from taking the road. The potholes have not been filled for a month. Generally, it takes five minutes to  travel from the Safilguda track to Marredpally. However, now more than 15 minutes is wasted trying to get on to an even patch of road.” 

 

A senior Army officer, denying these allegations, said, “The delay in carrying out road repair works was because of the government funds that are released in a phased manner. On Saturday, we have sanctioned the amount to carry out the repairing of the Safilguda road.

 

Heavy downpour has worsened the road condition at AOC and a lot of rain water has accumulated on the route leading to East Marredpally as well. However repair works can only be done once the monsoon ends. 

 

The Secunderabad Cantonment Board, meanwhile states that it has no involvement in the repairs and maintenance, as these are Military Engineering Service roads maintained by the defence authorities.