Harish Rao Criticizes ₹35,000-Crore Pranahita Project Plan

Swift Summary

• Location: Hyderabad.
• Key Issues:

– Senior BRS leader and former irrigation minister, T. Harish Rao,criticized the Congress Government’s proposed ₹35,000 crore Pranahita project.
– the Pranahita project aims to lift 80 TMC ft of water annually to irrigate 4.47 lakh acres.
– Harish Rao compared it to the Kaleshwaram project, stating that Kaleshwaram utilizes 240 TMC ft of water for irrigation potential up to a total of 37 lakh acres at a cost of ₹84,000 crore.
– He described the Congress Party’s proposed project design as inefficient relative to Kaleshwaram in terms of cost-benefit ratio.

• Criticism extended to plans by TSRTC (Telangana State Road Transport Corporation):

– Allegations of collecting an additional fare (+50%) during bathukamma and Dasara festivals under the guise of “special bus services.”
– Claimed regular buses would simply display ‘special bus’ boards without providing added service capacity.

indian Opinion Analysis

The contrasting viewpoints on large-scale irrigation projects highlight ongoing debates over resource management in Telangana. T. Harish Rao’s comparison between Pranahita and Kaleshwaram sheds light on concerns about efficiency in public spending-focusing closely on cost-to-service ratios and perceived benefits offered by major infrastructure projects. His critique challenges policymakers nationally to weigh fiscal prudence against promised outcomes when proposing capital-intensive schemes.

Meanwhile, allegations about TSRTC imposing extra charges during festive seasons speak more broadly to governance issues at state-run institutions aimed at providing equitable access during peak demand periods. If true, these practices could raise questions about affordability for passengers-a key consideration amidst socio-economic challenges faced by festival-goers.

Both issues have broader implications regarding transparency and accountability in policy execution within Telangana’s governance framework.

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