Hyderabad: Residents of Northeast Setinabad have once again been trapped in a fight against state roads they believe are illegally closed, accusing military authorities of violating the Ministry of Defense (MOD) Order (MOD) and setting a stage for more restrictions in the future. The controversy deepened the report, with Army officials asking Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) to speed up work on the “alternative road” – locals believe it is a cover for future obstacles.
“They emphasize ‘alternative roads’ because once they are ready, they close existing roads,” CS Chandrashekhar said. “It’s not just inconvenience for you; it’s an attempt to change the nature of the state and limit public access.”
One of the most controversial aspects of this dispute is ownership of constitutional land. The military reportedly provided land for these “alternative roads”, but it also demanded compensation from the Telangana government – what residents and activists called it ridiculous.
“Sesendrabad was never a British royal land sold by other India. It was always under the rule of Nizam. The public land here is part of Divani (civil) in Hyderabad, which is legally part of Telangana. So why did Telangana pay for its own land?” Chandrashekhar explained.
The FNEC introduced the historical record, proving that Britain had stationed in Secunderabad through a treaty with Nizam, but never owned the land. Unlike other parts of India where Britain controls land, Sesendabad remains in Hyderabad. Another resident said this means that after independence, the land should be properly transferred to Telangana, not the central government.
The potential closure of roads in the state is not a minor issue, it affects over 2 million people in three GHMC circles (Malkajgiri, Alwal and Kapra) and five of the eight wards under the Secunderabad Contonment committee.
“Alternative roads are OK, but that doesn’t mean existing roads should be closed. They are just a way to prove that the roads we already have,” said the residents of Sainikpuri Ramavathi K.
Past closures, such as those on AOC Road and Byam Road, have caused great damage. They added that while the Department of Defense ruled that public roads should remain open, residents said military authorities continued to act on their own.
The FNEC has urged the Telangana government to resist any move to legalize road closures and claim ownership of its state land. They believe the group is also pushing for legal action to prevent the military from claiming compensation for land, which they believe is already state.
“If we allow this, tomorrow they will take more roads and more public places,” a local resident warned. “It’s not just Secunderabad. It’s about protecting public access everywhere.”
