Army maps new AOC route

Hyderabad: The Army has found fault with the report submitted by the GHMC with regard to alternative routes proposed once the AOC is blocked for civilian traffic.

The Army said that “incorrect assumptions by the GHMC study team had led to exaggerated deductions regarding the possible impact of the road restriction on civilian traffic.”

Battalion Commander Colonel Deven Bharadwaj, in a letter to the  GHMC commissioner and Telangana State chief secretary, suggested that the Trimulgherry junction be modified to facilitate smooth flow of traffic and also a team be nominated to rectify the plan.

The Army has also suggested the use of the vacant land under Survey No. 292 (B-2 land), giving one-way access to commuters from RK Puram, Sainikpuri and areas up to Radhika Junction.

The Army once again stated that the restriction at the Gough and Wellington Roads (that were supposed to be closed on January 1) cannot be delayed for much longer.

The Army said, “After preliminary examination of the GHMC study report, the Board of Officers instituted by local military authority has found that the GHMC has made ‘incorrect assumptions’ that had led to exaggerated deductions regarding the possible impact of the road restriction on civilian traffic.

The road capacity depends on road width, as well as keeping roads obstruction free. The impact of the second factor has been ignored by the study. Specific details of the assistance sought from the Army are inadequate for detailed analysis by the Board of Officers.”

Sector Commander Colonel Avinash Rawat in the letter said, “It is understandable that any civic authority should plan for the long-term requirement and in that context, there is a need for better civil road infrastructure in the vicinity of military station.

The Army is willing to extend assistance, but it would not be prudent to link the time schedule of implementation of traffic restrictions to the time required for long-term improvement of civil infrastructure.”

Meanwhile, the  Trimulgherry Junction has been recommended for modification into a big free-flowing triangular island facilitating smooth one-way traffic movement by utilising the vacant space in Survey 292 land under state government control.

“While the implementation of next phase of restriction involving Gough and Wellington Roads is withheld for some time as requested by the Governor, the same cannot, however, be delayed for longer period considering security implications.

The GHMC commissioner has been requested to nominate a team to liaise with this headquarters for detailed deliberation and ground reconnaissance on the proposal of new alternatives roads,” added colonel Avinash Rawat. The GHMC commissioner said, “We will re-examine the report.”