Hyderabad: In the midst of a communal climate further worsened by solely scapegoating Muslims for the coronavirus, Hyderabad’s Aghapura area has kept the spirit of Hindu-Muslim brotherhood alive. Hindus of the locality distributed the traditional sevaaiyaan and ration kits to their Muslim brethren and the neighborhood’s residents.
People were standing in a queue maintaining distance from one another as they were waiting their turn to be served with food and ration.
During a time where there are concentrated aggressive efforts to polarise communities in Telangana, this act of charity and festivity amidst an already watered-down Eid. While there have been some stories of certain communal incidents during this lockdown, Hyderabad is still known for its Ganga-Jamunatehzeeb.
Much like Muslims in Muslims stepped up to feed migrant workers Madhya Pradesh and the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu fed Sehri to Muslims, the Hindus of Aghapura have too followed suit.
The incident triggered panic among the other cops who were under training
Hyderabad: Sensation prevailed at Telangana State Police Academy on Tuesday after a Reserve Inspector of police was injured when a weapon of under training Sub-Inspector got misfired.
The incident triggered panic among the other cops who were under training.
R Vinod an reserve Inspector belonging to 1996 Sub-inspector of TSSP who is deputed at police academy as an instructor was present at firing range when a woman trainee sub Inspector’s weapon went misfired.
The injured Inspector was immediately shifted to a corporate hospital at Gachibowli and Narsingi police have registered a case.
Hyderabad: National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR) Faculty Dr. Akanksha Shukla reviewed the media coverage of the Sabarimala Issue in terms of ‘Positive,’ ‘Negative’ and ‘Neutral’ news.
With the State starting to relax the nation-wide lockdown imposed to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, religious places that remain closed now could be reopened shortly. This could result in the Sabarimala issue coming into the forefront of public attention again. The objective of this exploratory paper is to inform the public and provide a perspective about the media coverage.
In her exploratory paper titled ‘The Sabrimala Controversy: A ‘Generated’ Social Movement In Making’, Dr. Akanksha Shukla, Associate Professor and Head (CDC), Center for Development Documentation and Communication (CDC), NIRDPR, conducted a media analysis of the complete one month’s online media data drawn from Indian newspapers of English language and few Hindi language newspapers as well.
A customised search engine was created in google for 10 Hindi newspapers and only they were searched on the Sabrimala temple issue. The last day of data drawn was 25th October 2018. Although the controversy continues, this paper is limited in presenting the various points of views around the controversy and data analysis based on sentiment analysis of the online media.
The sentiment analysis in this paper reflected positive information of 45.9 per cent. This analysis is reflective of October 2018 and is bound to change as the clash between the individual right and religious right grow. What can be predicted at this point that the cultural dissent has ignited a social movement of a very difficult nature. It is essential, therefore, to understand the contexts in which social movements are grouped.
The following coloured text reflects the mode of the data analysed:
‘“We also request all Ayyappa devotees from Tamil Nadu to shunplastics”, said the commissioner.’
‘TheKeralaHighCourthasbanned the use of plastics in and around the Sabarimala temple as it affected the ecologically-sensitiveforestarea surrounding the temple.’
‘The gates of the temple opened on the night of October 17 for the first time after the historicverdict of SupremeCourt which allowed women of all ages to enter the temple.’
‘Journalists have been stationed at Pamba and Nilakkal over the past five days covering attempts by women between the ages of 10 and 50 to enter the Sabarimala temple.’
‘Over 10 women between the age group of 10 and 50 years had attempted to enter the Sabarimala temple during the last 5 days, but they were sent back following intense protests by the devotees.’
‘On October 17, when the doors of the Lord Ayyappa on hilly place of pilgrimage were opened for the first time after the controversial Supreme Court decision, a number of female reporters, who were on their way to Sabarimala temple to report on the story, were attacked by devotees protesting against the apex court order.’
In the above example, the red text reflects the negative information, the green shows positive and the blue text is neutral information.
Analysing the protest through the Theoretical Framework of Herbert Blumer, an American sociologist, who had identified four stages of social movements’ lifecycles. The four stages he described were: ‘social ferment’, ‘popular excitement’, ‘formalisation’ and ‘institutionalisation’ (De la Porta & Diani 2006, p.150).
The first stage, ‘Emergence’ or ‘social ferment,’ was achieved as soon as the verdict was announced. Stage two, known as ‘coalescence’ or the ‘popular stage,’ is characterised by a more clearly defined sense of discontent. This stage was achieved as soon as the verdict was announced and the temple doors opened for devotees.
The third stage in a social movement is known as ‘bureaucratisation’ or ‘formalisation’. Finally, the last stage in a social movement lifecycle is ‘decline’ or ‘institutionalisation.’ ‘Decline’ does not necessarily mean failure for social movements though. Instead, Miller (1999) argues, there are four ways in which social movements can decline – Repression, Co-optation, Success, and Failure.
Hyderabad: The city known for its Ganga-Yamuna Tehzeeb, where people from different religions always come forward to help each other.
Whether Hindus, Muslims, Christians or Sikhs, they always shows the example of Ganga-Yamuna culture.
According to a video by siasat.com, Hindu brothers of Aghapura area distributed Eid special kits among the needy Muslims.
The Eid special kit includes milk, siwaiyan, sugar, dry fruits.
Every year, these Hindu brothers used to give iftar party on the last day of Ramadan. But this year they have decided to distribute Sheer-Khurma kits among the needy as the lockdown hits the poor people of the city.
Hyderabad: Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has extended the property tax rebate period till May 31 due to the lockdown.
Commissioner of GHMC, Lokesh Kumar said, “Only 5 days have been left to get 5 per cent rebate under early bird Scheme for the current year 2020-2021 i.e. 31.05.2020 and appealed the citizens to utilise the opportunity given by the Government and pay property tax by 31.05.2020 and get 5% rebate.
Earlier the early bird scheme was only for residential properties with ceiling Rs.30, 000. On the representatives received from various sections the Government extended the benefit to the Commercials and Semi- Commercial properties also.
The citizens can pay property tax through online, E-Seva Centers , Citizens Service Centers and also to Bill Collectors.
Further, Commissioner appealed to the IT Companies, Multi-level Malls, Star Hotels, and big Business establishments to utilize the opportunity and get a 5% rebate on property tax by paying before 31.05.2020.
Hyderabad: In the last few years several heavy rainfall events have been reported in cities of South India. They include the extreme rainfall that created havoc in Chennai and nearby areas in Tamil Nadu in December 2015, the heavy rainfall over Hyderabad and adjoining regions in Telangana in September 2016, and the extreme rainfall event in Kerala in August 2018.
These three states differ in their geographical locations, and also the season in which they receive rainfall. Kerala, located on the southwest Indian coast off the Arabian Sea receives heavy rainfall during the summer monsoon from June-September. Tamil Nadu, off the Bay of Bengal receives rainfall mainly during the northeast monsoon (October-December). The land-locked state Telangana receives the bulk of its annual rainfall during the summer monsoon season.
A team led by Prof. Karumuri Ashok from the Centre for Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences of the University of Hyderabad, examined whether a common factor, the changing land use land cover (LULC) in these states, has any implications for the heavy rainfall events. Their findings were reported in the ‘Quarterly Journal of Royal Meteorological Society’ on 18 May 2020. https://rmets.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/qj.3826
Their study showed that the precipitation during heavy rainfall events in these states has significantly increased from 2000 to 2017.
Using the land use land cover (LULC) data from ISRO, and by conducting 2 km resolution simulation experiments of twelve heavy rainfall events over the states, the researchers found distinct LULC changes in these three states, which led to higher surface temperatures and a deeper and moist boundary layer. These in turn caused a relatively higher convective available potential energy and, consequently, heavier rainfall.
The study also suggests that increasing urbanization in Telangana and Tamil Nadu is likely to enhance the rainfall during the heavy rainfall events by 20% – 25%. Prof. Ashok feels that improving the density of observational rainfall and other weather parameters may help in forecasting extreme rainfalls at the city level.
Prof. K. Ashok and his Ph.D. student Mr. A. Boyaj who is the first author, are both from the Centre for Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences of the University of Hyderabad. The work was done in collaboration with Prof. Ibrahim Hoteit and Dr. Hari Prasad Dasari of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia.
The Hyderabad Airport authorities confirmed a total of 20 departures, 19 arrivals services on the second-day of the recommencement of operations
Hyderabad: On the second day of its recommencement of operations, Rajiv Gandhi International (Hyderabad) Airport is estimated to handle 20 departures and 19 arrivals in the entire day with an approximate passenger load to be about 2500 for both arrivals and departures, the Airport authorities informed on Tuesday.
Indigo 6E 732 was the first departures flight from GMR Hyderabad International Airport on 26th May, which took off to Lucknow from here at 4.46 AM with 45 passengers on board. Indigo 6E 587 was the first arrivals flight of the day, which landed at 01.01 AM today from Pune with 108 passengers bound for Hyderabad.
All arriving and departures passengers are being scanned by thermal scanners at both arrivals and departures as per the safety procedures with adequate social distancing enforced for everyone.
Travelers at Hyderabad Airport on the second-day of resumption.
Travelers at Hyderabad Airport on the second-day of resumption.
Travelers at Hyderabad Airport on the second-day of resumption.
Travelers at Hyderabad Airport on the second-day of resumption.
Travelers at Hyderabad Airport on the second-day of resumption.
Travelers at Hyderabad Airport on the second-day of resumption.
With a focus on seamlessly contact-less boarding experience for passengers, Hyderabad International Airport is ensuring some stringent safety measures viz. thermal scanning of every departing passenger, the availability of automatic hand sanitizer dispensers at various places, floor markers, staggered seating arrangements, allocation of entry gates and check-in islands for departure passengers to encourage compliance of social distancing norms and minimize human contact at the airport.
In order to avoid close contact and crowding at the counters, passengers are being encouraged to check-in at home or use self-service facilities such as contact-less self-check-in facility, self-bag tag facility, scan, and fly, etc.
Hyderabad: An Air Asia flight today made an emergency landing at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in the city . The Air Asia flight I5 1825 which was flying from Chandigarh to Bengaluru had to make an emergency landing at Hyderabad.
The management of AirAsia India statement said “An AirAsia India aircraft VT-IXC operating as i51543 from Jaipur to Hyderabad on 26th May 2020, encountered a technical issue and carried out a precautionary engine shut down. Handling the situation calmly in a professional manner the crew landed at Shamshabad, as scheduled. We are carrying out detailed inspection of the aircraft, having informed DGCA we are assisting in the investigation to establish the cause.”
While the maximum temperature of 45.5℃ was recorded at Nizamabad, the Jainad Mandal of Adilabad district in Telangana recorded a high of 46.3 degree Celsius
Hyderabad: Telangana on Tuesday recorded its highest temperature of the season as the mercury crossed 46 degrees Celsius-mark in Adilabad, the India Meteorological Department said.
A heatwave has been sweeping across parts of Telangana for past six days. While the maximum temperature of 45.5℃ was recorded at Nizamabad, the Jainad mandal of Adilabad district in Telangana recorded a high of 46.3 degree Celsius.
This is the highest for both Nizamabad and Adilabad this summer. There are only three instances in the recorded history when the temperature at Adilabad has crossed 46 degree Celsius.
According to the Telangana Sate Development Planning Society Hyderabad and Medak recorded their respective maximum temperatures at 42.3 and44.0 degree Celsius.
The IMD has noted heatwave at most districts in Telangana while severe heatwave at Adilabad. As per IMD criteria, a heatwave declared when the maximum temperature is 45 degrees Celsius for two consecutive days in large area. A severe heatwave is declared when the temperature crosses the 46 degrees Celsius-mark for three days in a row from 27 May till 29 in a given area.
Telangana a heatwave is declared if the temperatures soars 45 degrees Celsius even for a day.
Meanwhile, Nirmal recorded a maximum temperature of 45.9℃ and Mancherial recorded 45.9℃.
Hyderabad: Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) President Capt. N. Uttam Kumar Reddy has directed party leaders and workers in the State to join the nationwide online campaign being organised by Congress party on May 28 to highlight the sufferings of migrant workers, MSMEs and other sectors who are in grave distressed.
Addressing the party leaders through a video-conference, which was also broadcast live on social media platform Facebook, on Tuesday evening, Uttam Kumar Reddy informed that the Congress High Command has decided to organise a nationwide campaign on May 28 from 11 am to 2 pm to raise the issues of the people in distress and appeal to the Union government to listen and consider the demands made by the Congress Party to address the pressing concerns of them.
He also read out a letter sent by AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal which said, “As you know, lakhs of migrant workers, farmers, workers in the Un-organized sectors, MSMEs, small scale businesses, fishermen and daily wage earners are in grave distress. They are struggling, without money, food, job, and other essentials items.
For over two months now, since the nationwide lockdown began, our nation’s soul has been pained by the pictures and videos of lakhs of our migrant men, women, and children desperately trying to get back to the safety of their hometowns and villages.
From walking hundreds of kilometers on our highways to packing into trucks, trailers, and every form of transport available, many of them have died on their long journey.”
“The Congress Party has been undertaking relief efforts to provide them all possible support. Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi have been giving suggestions to the Central Government to alleviate the sufferings of our migrant workers, farmers, and daily wage earners. But instead of providing support, the Central government continues to ignore the plight of them and has failed to take any meaningful measures,” he said while quoting from the letter.
Uttam Kumar Reddy said that it was the duty of the Congress leaders and workers to be the voice of the farmers, migrant workers, daily wage earners, MSMEs, small scale businesses and un-organized workers. He said more than 10,000 party leaders and workers from each Parliamentary constituency in Telangana should participate in the online campaign through by way of a Live video on any of the social media platforms Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, etc., from 11 am to 2 pm on May 28.
“We will demand the government to immediately make the direct cash transfer of Rs.10000 to all the families outside the income tax bracket. We will also ask the government to provide financial assistances to MSMEs and small scale businesses as all the announcements made so far by the pertains to loans. We will also urge the government to ensure safe return of all migrant workers to their homes,” he said.
Uttam Kumar Reddy said that the party intends to register a strong protest by 50 lakh party workers, office bearers, leaders and sympathizers coming online simultaneously at various Social Media platforms and entire Congress cadre and sympathisers should ensure their active participation.
Earlier in the day, Uttam Kumar Reddy flagged off a minibus at Gandhi Bhavan carrying migrant workers from Uttar Pradesh. He also had an interaction with the migrant workers on the occasion.
He also participated in the AICC Video Conference with all Congress Chief Ministers, PCC Presidents and CLP leaders regarding the nationwide Social Media campaign to be organised on May 28.
Hyderabad: There was no letup in new coronavirus cases in Telangana on Tuesday as four more foreign evacuees and 12 migrants were among 71 people tested positive.
The state also reported a death due to Covid-19, pushing the death toll to 57 while the overall tally of cases mounted to 1,991.
For the fourth consecutive day, foreign returnees tested positive. The number of infections in this category rose to 32.
Returnees from Kuwait
Four returnees from Kuwait had tested positive on 22. This was the first case in Telangana of Indian citizens repatriated under evacuation mission Vande Bharat being found infected by Covid-19.
However, the health officials have not revealed details of 28 foreign evacuees tested positive. They have not shared the information like the countries they had returned from and the districts they belong to.
Migrants continued to remain a big worry for the health authorities as the spike in cases continued. Twelve migrants tested positive taking the total number to 157. They are all the people from Telangana who returned home from other states following relaxation in lockdown norms.
Though 120 people were discharged from hospital on Tuesday, bringing down the number of active cases to 650, the efforts of the authorities to check the spread of virus received a setback with at least four districts reporting new cases after a gap of two to three weeks.
Greater Hyderabad continues to be hotspot
Greater Hyderabad continued to be the hotspot with 38 new cases. Thirteen cases were reported from Ranga Reddy and Medchal districts adjoining Greater Hyderabad.
Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao has been claiming that there are no Covid cases in Telangana except in few pockets of Greater Hyderabad.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister is set to review Covid situation in the state at a high-level meeting on Wednesday.
According to the Chief Minister’s Office, there will be discussion on the measures taken for the containment of Covid and implementation of lockdown. The meeting is expected to take decisions on the next steps to be taken. A decision will also be taken whether to continue or to make any changes in the existing system of allowing shops in Hyderabad to remain open on an even-odd basis.
Hyderabad: A 20-year-old woman who is a COVID-19 patient gave birth to twins in Gandhi Hospital on Tuesday.
According to the report, earlier, the woman was admitted to Niloufer Hospital. As she belongs to Medchal District, a designated Red Zone, doctors at the hospital conducted COVID-19 test of the woman. When the test result was found positive, she was shifted to Gandhi Hospital.
Cesarean surgery
At Gandhi Hospital, doctors performed cesarean surgery. Associate Professor Dr. Renuka, senior doctors Dr. Apoorva, Dr. Deepthi Rahasya and PG medico Dr. Chandana performed the surgery.
Although the health conditions of twin baby girls are excellent, coronavirus tests will be conducted within two days.
Hyderabad: Well known humour writer Mujtaba Husain has passed away this morning in Hyderabad.
Mujtaba Husain was awarded Padma Shree in 2007 in recognition of his contribution to humourous dimension of Urdu literature.
Recently he had returned his Padma Shree in protest against what he called was injustice against the minorities in the country.
Mujtaba Husain breathed his last at his residence in Red Hills here around 9 am on Wednesday. He was 87 years old. He was known for his humourous writings, columns in Urdu newspapers and books.
He has been tickling the funny bone of Urdu readers for over 50 years. He began writing humour with ‘Seesha-o-Teesha’ column in Siasat. Later he started writing his own humour column in Siasat which was published every Sunday.
Mujtaba Husain authored 25 books, received 13 awards, including the coveted Padma Shree. Entire collection of written works, talks, lectures, recordings and books of Mujtaba Husain have been digitalized and can be accessed on the website www.mujtabahussain.com. The website was launched by Siasat daily’s editor Mr Zahid Ali Khan 5 years ago.
Innovative product designed by ASPIRE-TIDE Incubator start-up at UoH
Hyderabad: Seriptorium Printing Solutions, a start-up business incubator at ASPIRE-TIDE in the University of Hyderabad (UoH) are working on creating an e-commerce market place with “cofi no-touch door opener”. This product helps prevent direct contact in public places.
Seriptorium Printing Solutions are working on devices that will help people during this COVID-19 Pandemic. From market research, it is found that people are not confident enough to touch doors, use ATMs or touch switches in public places.
A device that will help people to do these operations without direct contact will give them more confidence.
Towards this, Seriptorium Printing Solutions went through some of the designs available in the international market and made changes to suit the Indian requirements. The company has 3D printed some pieces and put them up on Amazon calling it as “cofi no-touch door opener”. These are now available for bulk orders.
Features of the product:
The product is 3D printed using biodegradable PLA material which is skin-friendly.
Can be used in public places to open/close a door, push lift button, on/off switches and hang carry bags to avoid contamination
Handy design with two central holes will allow you to handle the device with ease and do all operations without exerting much force.
As it is 3D printed, it is lightweight (20 grams) but sturdy due to the interlocking structure created during the printing.
The dimensions of the product are 14.5 x 6.5 x 1 cm and can take a weight up to 25 kgs.
Usage:People who go out in public places after easing restrictions can use this product in public transport, lifts, ATMs, office spaces, public toilets and much more.
Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao’s high-level review meeting to begin in some time. It is said that CM would be discussing on the steps to be taken as the lockdown is due to end on May 31.
Chief Minister will also be discussing about the upcoming monsoon season and discussions on COVID-19 situation in State. Talks will also be on relaxations in Hyderabad- whether any changes to be made in existing relaxations.
The Government Nizamia General Hospital which is popularly known as Charminar Dawkhana had been rendering COVID-19 service for almost two months now.
S. Mallesh, 51 years- old had contacted the virus while rendering his service as a class four employee in Nizamia.
Mallesh was deployed by AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) as a front line warrior. He was deployed at the hospital on April 24 and almost after 20 days that was on May 9 Mallesh reported ill health.
According to superintended, Nizamia Hospital, “Mallesh, complained of bad health on May 9 and had shown a few symptoms like fever, cough and cold. Later, we shifted him to Gandhi hospital and there he is under treatment.” “His coworkers and other staff members are under quarantine at Nizamia Hospital and as of now none of them show any symptoms.” Mallesh is a resident of Jiyaguda,
Hyderabad: Mahboob Gunj located in Malakpet which was earlier declared as no entry COVID-19 Containment zone now reopened after 26 days by MLA Ahmed Bin Abdullah Balala.
Moreover, several mechants association given representation and even staged protest at the Gunj demanding to reopen the market as most traders are surving on these wholesale shops in Gunj.
As the Mahboob Gunj was sealed for 26 days when several Coronavirus positive cases detected in, despite completion of 14 days of quarantine period the market remained closed and totally sealed by Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC).
MLA along with Zonal Commissioner, GHMC, Ashok Samrath and other police officials reopened the Gunj, the officials have started numbering the shops urging them to follow odd-even system imposed by GHMC and follow the social distancing norms.
Leaders and official conducted a meeting with market traders and Kirana merchants explaining them about the government and GHMC norms. The officials asked them to reopen all shops present in Gunj and strictly follow the odd-even system.
Hyderabad: Telangana High Court on Wednesday asked the state government to pay full pension amount to all the pensioners of the state. A division bench of the court passed the orders while dealing with a petition filed by pensioners JAC leaders Laxmaiah.
In his petition, he told the High Court that the state government had deferred 25 percent of the total pension of the pensioners in the month of April and added that the decision had made over 3 lakh pensioners of the state to suffer a lot. He urged the HC to issue orders to the state government to not deduct their pension for the ongoing month of May. Responding to this the counsel for the state government told the High Court that the state government was reviewing its decision to defer the pension of the pensioners.
Following this, the High Court told the state government that it would pass orders for the payment of the pensions on June 1 if the state government had failed to do so. Later it adjourned the matter till June 1.
The Zone achieves highest progress during the period 01st - 25th May 2020 effectively utilizing the reduced train movements
Hyderabad: South Central Railway arriving itself as the top zone amongst all the Zones over Indian Railways in execution of track maintenance works by efficiently utilizing the reduced train movement during the period from 015 – 25th May 2020.
South Central Railway is one of the important Zones on Indian Railways spread over a total of 6336 Kms of railway network, connecting around 754 stations and running an average about 750 passenger carrying trains and around 300 goods trains each day on its tracks.
Track maintenance is an important part of train operations which has a direct impact on both the safety of tracks as well as in carrying the maximum permissible speed of the train on the tracks.
Considering the importance of this as well as the reduced flow of train movements currently, the zone has drawn a meticulous plan to use this period for strengthening their rail tracks for the benefit of all train movements.
The Zone has properly identified sections and meticulously deployed all its track maintenance machinery over the zone for strengthening the tracks, points, crossings, sleepers and ballast for enhancing the safety, speed and reliability.
As a result, the zone has been able to achieve the highest progress in terms of track machine working across the Indian Railways from 01 May to 25th May 2020. Important track machines have been utilized during this period including plain packing machines, turnout packing ( UNIMAT) Machines, Ballast Cleaning Machines and PQRS Machines.
Plain packing machine: It is being done by using 3x, CSMWST machines to measure the existing track parameters and to lift the track to enable for correction of alignment, longitudinal & cross levels and also for Tamping / packing of ballast under the sleepers in order to strengthen the track. A total of 984 Kms length work has been completed by the Zone during the above period, which is almost 10% of the work executed by Indian Railways.
Turnout packing machine: The work will be executed by using UNIMAT machines for correction of alignment, tamping & packing of points and crossings, which are available at the locations where change of track from one line to other line and converging of two lines etc. Accordingly, work at points and a crossing available at 496 locations over the zone has been completed, accounting 12% of the total work executed by IR.
Ballast Cleaning Machine: BCM machines are used to carry out Screening of folded ballast, disposal of muck away from track and to restore clean ballast cushion thereby improving the elasticity (resilience) of ballast bed and also to improve drainage of track. The Zone has completed a total of 83 Kms of Ballast cleaning accounting for about 25% of the total work executed by IR.
Track Laying Equipment: It is done by PQRS (Plasser Quick Relaying System) machine for track and sleeper renewal works and which moves on auxiliary track of 3400 mm gauge. A total of 5.37 kms completed by the Zone which is the highest by any zone on Indian Railways Gajanan Mallya, General Manager, SCR complimented the officers and staff of Engineering Department from Head Quarters and Divisions for effective management and committed work shown during these tough times.
He is also appreciated for the coordination displayed among all the departments in expediting the track maintenance works by optimally utilizing this period of less density of traffic for strengthening the tracks over SCR.
Hyderabad: Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) President & Nalgonda MP Capt. N. Uttam Kumar Reddy has alleged that Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao and his counterpart in Andhra Pradesh Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy jointly conspired to divert Krishna River water of Telangana to Andhra Pradesh by expanding Pothyreddypadu Project.
He was speaking during the power point presentation on Pothyreddypadu Project given by AICC Secretary & ex-MLA A. Sampath Kumar at Mahbubnagar DCC office on Wednesday.
Uttam Kumar Reddy said that the conspiracy was jointly hatched by CMs KCR and Jagan during several meetings held in Hyderabad last year. When AP CM Jagan announced expansion of Pothyreddypadu Project in December last year, Congress leader Nagam Janardhan Reddy immediately reacted and sent a letter to CM KCR seeking immediate action.
Since KCR himself was part of the conspiracy, he did not respond and maintained silence. He said diversion of 88,000 Cusecs water from Pothyreddypadu and 3 TMC from Sangameshwaram to Andhra Pradesh would turn South Telangana into a desert. Despite Andhra Pradesh Government issuing orders to expand the capacity of Pothyreddypadu Project and so many other adverse developments, KCR has been sitting silently at Pragathi Bhavan, he alleged.
He said that the Chief Minister was spending Rs. 1 lakh crore on Kaleshwaram Project to get only 2 TMC of water while AP was expanding Pothyreddypadu Project to take away 7 TMC of Krishna River water to Andhra Pradesh.
He alleged that KCR has mortgaged the interest of future generations of Telangana just to get a few percent commission from the contractors of irrigation projects. While so much money was wasted in the name of Kaleshwaram Project, nothing was done in the last six years to complete the pending projects. He said water could be drawn through gravity from the SLBC Projects. However, TRS Govt did not complete the canal works in the last six years.
Uttam Kumar Reddy said that CM KCR calls himself an expert on Coronavirus, irrigation and an international expert on irrigation. He condemns opposition and media when they try to question or advise him on any issue.
However, his government failed to irrigate even one acre of land despite spending over Rs. 1 lakh crore on Kaleshwaram Project. He asked the Chief Minister to explain as to why pending projects of united Mahabubnagar district were not completed so far. Although the people of Mahabubnagar gave a political life to KCR, he did nothing for them and kept all the projects in the district pending.
He said it appears that KCR did not show any interest in irrigation projects of Mahabubnagar assuming that he might not get good commission or kickbacks.
The TPCC Chief alleged that KCR Govt was not constructing the irrigations projects to bring water for cultivation, but to get huge commissions from contractors in the name of new irrigation projects and Mission Bhagiratha. He urged the Congress workers of Mahabubnagar, Nalgonda and Khammam to participate in the agitation on June 2 at al the irrigation projects.
Uttam Kumar Reddy also informed that the Congress party was organising a nationwide online campaign on Thursday to highlight the plight of migrant workers, MSMEs and other sections who were affected due to unplanned lockdown.
He said it was mandatory for all the Congress leaders and workers to participate in the campaign through social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, etc., demanding the Central Government to help the migrate workers, assist MSMEs and other affected segments and deposit Rs. 10,000 in the accounts of all poor people. (eom)
