Let President use SCB roads, say angry residents

Hyderabad: Residents of the North Eastern colonies in Secunderabad as well as the Kapra municipality want President Ram Nath Kovind’s convoy to travel through army roads that have been closed to the general public for security reasons instead of through the congested Rajiv Rahadari route. 

President Kovind is staying in Rashtrapati Nilayam in Bollarum, where Presidents traditionally spend the winter months. 

It’s a mystery why the local military authorities are not keen on the President, who is the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, travelling through the safe army roads when he goes out to attend official functions, and instead sending him along a heavily congested Rajiv Rahadari road.

N. Venkataramana, who lives in Trimulgherry, says that scores of citizens staying between Lothkunta and Karkhana will be inconvenienced whenever the President’s convoy passes through.

“The President’s convoy can be routed through Cariappa Road, Residency Road, Nagadevatha Mandir Road, Aswari Road, and Gough Road to reach Secunderabad, instead of going through the congested roads in Lothkunta, Lal Bazaar, Trimulgherry, Karkhana etc. Why the first citizen of the country is not made to go through safe army roads is the big question. If the President cannot go through these safe roads, then what is the purpose behind closing them? If the army feels allowing civilian traffic on army roads poses security concerns, then why is it staying silent when the President’s convoy is going through Rajiv Rahadari road used by the civilian population?” Mr Venkataramana wondered.

One hour before the President’s convoy is scheduled to pass through the Rajiv Rahadari stretch, the local police will not allow vehicles to park in front of shops or on the main road and street vendors will not be allowed to move along the road. The roads under the jurisdiction of the army are thus a better alternative both from the standpoint of the ordinary citizen as well as for the President's safety. 

 "Army roads are well protected and security officials need not worry about convoy movement. Not only the President but all VVIPs should be allowed to pass through these safe roads instead of regulating traffic on a national highway, which is a tough job," says C S Chandrashekar of the Federation of North Eastern colonies of Secunderabad.