OSCAR seeks inquiry into SCB claims

​Hyderabad: The Open Secunderabad Cantonment All Roads (OSCAR) wants the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to open all 15 roads that were closed to civilians a few years ago. According to S Chandrasekhar of OSCAR, the Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB) and DEO Secunderabad had furnished incorrect information to the High Court. There have been serious irregularities related to the 15 roads, he said.

Some of the roads that are out of bounds for the civilians are Cariappa Road, Barr Road, Surender Marg, Lakdawala and others. The Local Military Authority started closing roads citing security reasons a few years ago and to date the total number of closed roads has touched 15.

Resident Welfare Associations have been complaining that the roads did not belong to the Local Military Authority but come under the SCB. A few months back, in response to an RTI filed by OSCAR, it was revealed that only six roads belonged to the SCB.

In a new twist, now the Estates Office says that only two roads and not six come under the SCB and thus two roads would be opened to public. The reason given by the SCB officials is a lapse on the part of the staff while giving information.

OSCAR on the other hand says that there is something fishy and wants a CBI probe in the matter. Chandrasekhar says, “We have written to the Southern Command requesting for a CBI inquiry into the matter as it is a matter that affects lakhs of people residing in the cantonment.”