HYDERABAD: It was a display of unity on the third consecutive day at the Parade Grounds as people turned up in huge numbers to form a human chain on Monday. They were protesting the state government’s proposal to build a new State Secretariat complex at the grounds.
Regular visitors of the Parade Grounds have organised several campaigns including walks, human chain protest, signature campaigns for saving the space till.
On Tuesday, they are set to strengthen their voice by releasing black balloons in the air between 6.30 am and 7 am as a mark of protest. The walkers and joggers will be accompanied by OSCAR - Open Secunderabad Cantonment All Roads, a group of volunteers who have been fighting for the free flow of traffic on all Secunderabad roads.
“The decision to shift the Secretariat another of the Minister’s vastu dosha whims,” said M Krishank, a Congress spokesperson from Secunderabad Cantonment area. The Parade Grounds, Gymkhana Grounds and Bison Polo grounds, he said, are currently being eyed by the state government, all of which are under the Army administration.
On the other hand, ruling party MLA G Sayanna from Secunderabad Cantonment, when contacted, said: “The defence area will make the perfect setting for the new Secretariat building and I completely support this decision. I fail to understand the claims of these protesters, since the grounds are abruptly closed for civilian use by the Army whenever they want to.”
He said government has still a long way to go before the final decision. “We don’t have full permission yet, but it is only a matter of time that we will be allowed to go ahead with this plan,” the MLA said. Parade Ground is of historical relevance to the city as well, considering it is the only place that hosts Independence Day Parade and Republic Day Parade.
Though Bison Polo ground is restricted for general public, Parade Ground and Gymkahana Ground is used by the Hyderabadis for walking, sports, games. Earlier this month, TRS government asked the central ministry and the defence authorities to allot Parade grounds to construct a new building for secretariat. In return, the defence authorities is to be allotted a 150 acre land on the city out-skirts.