Telangana state fails to address traffic ban issue

Hyderabad: The state government has totally failed to address one of the city’s burning issues — AOC traffic restrictions. With the ruling party having only MLA from the Malkajgiri constituency, all representations are coming to naught.

Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao’s plan on shifting the Army establishment to Mahbubnagar is only a proposal and not an immediate relief, while January 1 – the deadline for the second phase of restrictions — is looming large.

The Telangana State government had announced that it was willing to shift the military installations in Secunderabad Cantonment and other parts of Hyderabad to neighbouring Ranga Reddy district. The Chief Minister had discussed the issue with officials and also with an MP.

“The state government has requested the Union defence ministry to allow this. Now it is all up to the defence ministry,” said a senior official.
Meanwhile, the United Federation Of Resident Welfare Associations (UFERWAS) on Wednesday met the Governor on the second phase of Army restriction from January 1.

“Though alternative arrangements are not in place, the Army is going ahead with implementing the restrictions from January 1, 2015. This will severely affect lakhs of citizens and alter their daily commuting to offices and schools. In addition, the closing down of the important roads will cause great financial burden and stress amongst residents in adjoining colonies and also create heavy traffic jams on other roads that cannot handle additional traffic,” explained the UFERWAS to the Governor.

As per the UFERWAS, the Governor will hold talks with the GHMC commissioner and will also approach the ministry of defence on this issue. Malkajgiri TRS MLA C. Kanaka Reddy was unavailable for a comment.