The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Exclusive bypass route for US consulate

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Tuesday, Jul 22, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Exclusive bypass route for US consulate

Staff Reporter

Second entry point also to be opened for consulate officials in view of security threats

— Photo: Satish H.

Security zone: Asbestos sheets put up at the rear side of Paigah Palace for developing a new route to the US consulate which is likely to start functioning from the end of this year. (Right) The lane at Indian Airlines Employees Colony side which is likely to be declared a no-parking area to ensure smooth passage to the officials of the consulate.

HYDERABAD: An exclusive bypass route to the US consulate office in Begumpet is being developed through a residential area at Indian Airlines Employees Colony in Begumpet.

The consulate, which is expected to start functioning by December in the former headquarters of the HUDA, will have a second entry point exclusively for the consulate officials.

Authorities had already identified the location of the entry for the consulate officials and the construction of the gate is under progress. This route would pass through lane three of the third street in the colony. The main entrance on the Chiraan Fort Club lane is meant for visitors only.

On Monday, senior officials from the Intelligence Department, city security wing and some consulate officials visited the former HUDA office to discuss the security measures to be put in place. Sources said the US authorities had been insisting on enforcing a no-parking rule on both the routes.

City traffic police had already been enforcing the no-parking rule on the Chiraan Fort Club road and the enforcement of the rule on an internal road of the residential colony could lead to some problems for the locality people, officials surmise.

However, the US officials are stated to have indicated that no-parking rule has to be enforced in view of the overall security scenario.

A senior official said that the route through Indian Airlines Colony would ensure smooth passage to consulate staff and US diplomats in the wake of security scenario in Hyderabad which was targeted by terrorists earlier.

The State capital had seen major terrorist attacks, including the bomb blasts at Task Force office in Begumpet, Gokul Chat in Koti, Lumbini Park in Saifabad and Mecca Masjid in old city in the recent times.

“We don’t want to take any chances. Visitors will be checked at the main entrance with handheld metal detectors before allowing them inside, besides maintaining constant vigil with surveillance cameras,” the official explained.

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