Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Army yet to allow road connectivity to new airport

HYDERABAD: It has been relatively easy for the State government to construct a new airport rather than convince some Central government institutions to part with their land to allow road-widening.

While everyone is excited about the country’s first public-private international airport getting operational within the next fortnight, the government has been unable to convince either the Army or railways to give more space for better traffic movement towards Shamshabad.

Despite Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy personally requesting Army authorities to allow vehicular traffic to pass through their area near the Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital till Rethibowli from March to October, a positive outcome is not forthcoming.

The demand was made even during the recent interaction of the government’s top brass with the military commanders but the Army is understood to have said informally cited “security reasons” for not acceding. The government sought “temporary permission” to let civilian traffic ply on the military road since the dedicated expressway is expected to get completed to some extent by October. It would be difficult to manage traffic at the S.D. Eye Hospital junction considering the expected rise in vehicles movement once the airport begins full operations.

The HUDA had also offered to put up a wire mesh on both sides of the military road not to “expose” the Army properties. The Army used to allow civilian vehicles to ply on the road till the 80s and with some restrictions till the early 90s.That was the cue to keep the road out of bounds to the public except for people living in colonies inside who are given special identity cards.

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu