Secunderabad Cantonment locals seek public transport on reopened roads

The public transport system on all five Cantonment roads—Richardson Road (commonly known as Lakdawala Road), Ammuguda Road, Protnee Road, Byam Road, and Albain Road—remains inaccessible to the numerous civilians residing in the Secunderabad Cantonment. It has been two weeks since the roads were reopened, but there is still uncertainty regarding the reintroduction of public transportation services such as city buses and autos, which are heavily utilised by more than 50,000 civilians residing in the nearby colonies of Secunderabad Cantonment. During a recent tour of the five roads, there is an increase in the number of commuters compared to the initial days. However, the local residents are displeased with the continued absence of a public transport system. Richardson Road is known to hold significant revenue potential for the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC). Before the road closure issue, the locals, particularly working women, had better access to this road, and the RTC authorities operated city bus number 211M between Secunderabad and CRPF. This bus has been in service for over a decade but had to take an alternate route when the local military authority (LMA) closed down Richardson Road. As a result, the bus had to take a detour, extending the journey by three to five kilometres. Expressing frustration with the indifference of the Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB) officials for not reinstating the public transport system, G Brahmarabhika, a resident of Bolarum, stated that they require an affordable, safe, and reliable transportation system as locals. Previously, they used to rely on city buses and autos, but now these transportation options have completely ceased due to the closure of Richardson Road. Although the defence authorities recently reopened the road after a ten-year struggle, they have not permitted the operation of city buses. Also read: Madhya pradesh seek bids for construction of 6 lane flyover at Dewas Naka Delhi to Amritsar in four hours by road