The Polavaram project, a massive multi-purpose project in Andhra Pradesh, has witnessed a complex history of development under various governments. While both TDP and YCP have claimed credit for significant progress, a closer examination of the project's timeline reveals a different story.
The TDP, under Chandrababu Naidu, has emphasized the substantial progress made during their 2014-2019 tenure, claiming completion of over 72% of the project. They attribute this to the project becoming a national project under their rule, with central funding playing a major role. However, critics argue that the TDP has unfairly included progress made during the previous YSR government (2004-2009), which laid the groundwork for the project and began significant construction work.
TDP's social media posts highlighting the project's progress during their tenure have been challenged for combining work done by both parties, creating a misleading perception of their individual contributions.
A closer look at the data suggests that the TDP's claims may be inflated. While the TDP claims to have completed 71.93% of civil works, YCP claims to have increased that percentage to 75.77%. Similarly, progress in other areas, like head works and canal construction, shows a relatively modest increase during the YCP regime compared to the TDP's five-year term.
The TDP's analysis fails to account for the significant investment and progress made during the YSR government, which initiated the project and laid the foundation for subsequent development. If one were to factor in the expenditure and work completed during YSR's tenure, the TDP's contribution to the project's advancement would appear much smaller.
The controversy surrounding the Polavaram project raises important questions about accountability and transparency in government projects. While both parties claim credit for significant progress, a detailed examination of the project's timeline reveals a complex picture. It's crucial to acknowledge the contributions of all governments involved and to ensure that development projects are evaluated based on factual data rather than political agendas.