HYDERABAD: The defence ministry has taken a serious view on arbitrary closure of roads in the Secunderabad Cantonment area by the local military authorities.

It has directed the Chief of Army Staff and other defence heads to not close any roads that do not fall under the Army units without following the procedures mentioned in the Cantonment Act 2006. However, the current night restrictions in the Secunderabad Cantonment, from 10 pm to 7 am, will continue till a further decision is taken.

A letter from the ministry of defence (dated January 7) to the Chiefs of Army, Navy and Air Force, which was received by the Secunderabad Canton-ment Board CEO Sujatha Gupta, stated: “It has been brought to the notice that public roads in cantonments are being closed by the local military authorities without any statutory authority to do so and without following the procedure prescribed in Section 258 of the Cantonment Act 2006.

Under the said Section 258, a street as defined under Section 2 of the Act can be permanently closed only by a cantonment board for security reasons by duly giving a public notice, inviting objections from civilians and obtaining prior permission of the Principal Director of the Command. The matter has been considered in the ministry of defence and it has been decided not to close public roads outside Army unit lines.

If in the opinion of the ministry any road needs to be closed for security reasons, it will approach the local cantonment board to set process in motion as required by the Act. Principal Defence estates of the command should ensure that no road in a cantonment outside units lines is closed arbitrary or on grounds other than security or without following procedures. Where it becomes unavoidable to close a road, efforts should be made to provide an alternative road before enforcing the closure order.”

The Ministry of Defence has also ordered the cantonment authorities to open blocked roads, which were closed without following the procedure. These roads can be closed only if closure is required, after approval. The ministry has asked for a compliance report within 30 days.