The Cantonment area in Secunderabad is undergoing a major development in construction, sanitation, drinking water supply, and more after merging with the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC). This decision, which has been a long-standing demand from the residents, was made by the Centre. The Defence Ministry recently issued a circular to transfer the Cantonment areas to local bodies like GHMC, including Secunderabad Cantonment. This move will transfer civil areas, along with assets and liabilities of the board, into GHMC for free.
The Cantonment Board covers 40 sq km and is home to about 350 bastis and colonies with a population of 4 lakh. Residents have faced difficulties over the years under the surveillance of Defence personnel. With the Centre’s decision, residents will now have some relief. Obtaining building permissions was a challenging task that took years, but now residents can approach GHMC for permissions, allowing for easier construction within the limits of the cantonment.
Another benefit of the merger is the potential resolution of the drinking water problem in the area. Residents have faced issues with scattered water supply, which may improve with the integration into GHMC. The long-standing issue of the closure of Gough Road by military authorities will also be resolved for local residents. Additionally, plans for skyways to address traffic problems in the city can now move forward without restrictions, potentially easing traffic congestion around Secunderabad.
