Hyderabad: Army's defiance of defence min exposed

Hyderabad: The Army has closed 119 roads across 62 cantonments in India without following due process under Section 258 of the Cantonment Act.

Following the recent orders issued by the ministry of defence to re-open all roads in the Cantonment, 80 out of 119 have been reopened.

Of the remaining 39 roads, 24 are completely closed and 15 are partially closed. 

Of the 24 that were completely closed, 14 fall under the Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB). Though they were cleared to be opened, this has not happened so far. SCB has the highest number of closed roads.

Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman, on Tuesday, issued an official statement on the status of roads closure in all the cantonments, which showed that a total of 850 were closed in 62 cantonments in the country.

At a press conference, Ms Sitharaman said, “We have held four meetings respectively April 2, April 17, April 26 and May 1 prior to the decision taken regarding the roads reopening in the cantonment. 

The meetings were with the Army related heads dealing with land and roads and concerned joint secretaries who were representing civilians.” She added, “The decision was arrived at after as many as 12 meetings with the stakeholders including people, MPs and VPs, Army senior staff. Hence it is a well considered decision, and the stress is on following the procedure.”

Regarding meeting with the army wives, Ms Sitharaman said, “I met the army wives and heard their concerns. They were largely of security. I appreciate their concern, but what’s being addressed is traffic related issues where unit lines exist and where families of army people are living, we are conscious, So, I want this debate to look at this also. Ultimately cantonments are place where civilians and cantonment live together.”

The Local Military Authority and the concerned stakeholders have to do a review, the minister said. If they decide to  close the roads, they should have a strong reason, but after following the due procedure.