Telangana awaits defence ministry’s decision

Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao had a preliminary round of talks with the CMO officials and also an MP on the issue of requesting the defence ministry to shift military installations in Secunderabad Cantonment and other parts of Hyderabad to neighbouring Ranga Reddy district.

“An idea has been mooted. Now it is all up to the defence ministry,” a senior official said.

Secunderabad Cantonment, the biggest cantonment in the country dating back to 1798, is spread over 40.17 sq. km. From a 1.35 lakh population in 1991, it has now tripled.

Haphazard growth of residential areas pose a threat to defence establishments.