HYDERABAD: Military Engineering Services (MES) is apparently not lending a considerate ear to the thousands of civilians who travel through the Gough road towards RK Puram and back.
A stretch of about 100-150 metres of the road on this route that passes adjacent to the regional hub of National Security Guard has been damaged beyond recognition. Driving on this road, especially for two wheeler motorists is nothing short of a back-breaking experience. However, the MES does not seem to be bothered about it. Residents of SCB areas who pass through this road have been demanding repairs. They allege that it has been a few years since took up repairs on this road.
Officials of engineering department of Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB) expressed helplessness in conducting repair works as the stretch requiring repairs falls under jurisdiction of MES. Some SCB residents allege that the military has not been repairing the road purposely to discourage civilians from taking it up for travel, as there have already been plans of shutting Gough Road by the military.
When contacted, SCB, Vice President, J Ramakrishna said, “It came to our notice that the stretch road has been in a badly damaged condition at least since the past 4-5 months. We will bring the issue to the notice of GOC as responsibility of this road’s maintenance lies with the MES.” S Chandrasekhar, convener of the group Open Secunderabad Cantonment Roads, said, “This is an important stretch of road for people travelling from Ramakrishnapuram towards AOC and further. For last 3-4 years the road has been getting deteriorated.”
A well maintained concrete entry road in front of the NSG regional hub which is located adjacent to the damaged stretch road would have helped motorists take a small detour to save themselves from the torture. However, even this part of the road has been made out of limits by the military for civilian motorists by placing rocks.