Mixed response to closure of Osmania University roads

Secunderabad: The days of ban on private vehicles may come back to Osmania University as authorities are mulling of closing the main thoroughfare that connects Tarnaka to Vidyanagar and beyond. The reason cited for the gradual ban on vehicles according to OU officials is the fights between students and motorists.

The residents of Central Excise Colony, DD Colony, Bagh Amberpet, Vidyanagar and other colonies would be affected the most who use the OU road to reach Tarnaka and who wish to travel to Secunderabad. Ravi, a research scholar of OU said, “The OU roads are used by people as long as one remembers and this decision by the university is unwarranted.

What is the guarantee that there would be no accidents if private vehicles are banned?” A senior academic of the university on condition of anonymity said, “Most universities in the country are far away from the main city and have a perfect ambience for academic pursuit.

Osmania University is an exception as civilian traffic moves through the centre of the University. It was noticed and is common knowledge that many outsiders enter the university and cause disturbance. Banning traffic will only help the university.”

Student union leaders are already miffed with the decision and say that the roads are used by all for decades and the allegation that there are fights between the students and motorists is nothing but an exaggeration.

The university administration insists that brawls between vehicle riders and students have been increasing for the last 12 months. The ban on vehicles would be done in a phased manner starting with heavy vehicles.

Ram, a plastic toys supplier and resident of Vidyanagar says, “The OU road is the link between Hyderabad and Secunderabad and would affect not just students and the common man but the business community. A number of petty vendors use the road to reach Vidyanagar and the Old City.”