RWAs urges CM Revanth Reddy to ensure Right of Way in defense areas
Hyderabad: Appreciating Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s meeting with Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh seeking defense lands for constructing elevated corridors to ease traffic congestion in Secunderabad cantonment and other areas in New Delhi, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) are requesting him to ensure the “Right of Way” in the defense areas for the benefit of residents commuting in cantonment areas.
The Ministry of Defense (MoD) might give its consent to the State government’s proposal to hand over some lands but the more important aspect is ensuring the “Right of Way” facilitating civilians to commute in military areas.
The issue assumes significance as civilian traffic was earlier either restricted or stopped for weeks in AOC, Gough Road, Wellington Road near Picket and Yapral forcing motorists to use longer areas to reach their destinations. After discussing the matter with MoD, officials lifted restrictions.
“If MoD hands over its lands to the State government, chances of refusing entry to civilians in other defense areas are more saying that such areas come under their administrative control,” Greater Hyderabad United Federation of Resident Welfare Associations General Secretary B T Srinivas told Deccan Chronicle.
He said the State government must take up “Right of Way” issue with the MoD seriously keeping in view the interest of lakhs of residents travelling in defense areas in Secunderabad cantonment and adjoining localities. As many as 246 RWAs in Secunderabad Cantonment areas continuously work for the welfare of the residents and address their issues in coordination with officials concerned.
After Revanth Reddy met the Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh recently and brought to his notice the problems being faced by residents, Union Defense Secretary A. Giridhar conducted a video conference with senior officials of various State governments and discussed the modalities for excision of civil areas from the limits of cantonments and merging them with Municipalities.
During the meeting, Chief Secretary A Santhi Kumari said that the State government already conveyed its concurrence to the proposal of the Central government’s for excision of civil areas of Secunderabad cantonment board and merge them with GHMC. She informed that the State government is keen to complete the process quickly.
Welcoming merger of civilian areas with GHMC, RWAs said the move would help in ensuring better civic amenities and uniform tax collection. “Collection of water bill and property taxes would be uniform after the merger and residents can expect proper infrastructure facilities,” Srinivasan added.
