Visible disruptions, rising prices and community shortages are leading to an increasingly accepted narrative of a full-blown LPG “crisis” in India. The noise signals are real, but the data is stitched together so that we feel like the whole country is collapsing. Realistically, the LPG system in India is working at high pressure, not at…

Much of India’s data centre growth is seen as an unchecked proliferation of thirsty server farms that push local power and water resources to the limit, thus diverting precious resources to foreign tech firms. Hyperscale is often considered extractive rather than strategic, given that hyperscale campuses are highly visible and represent a large-scale investment. It…

The belief that India’s ports have been “sold” to corporates stems from a visible shift: private companies now build, brand and operate large parts of port infrastructure. New terminals carry corporate names, equipment looks privately-owned, and operations feel commercial in a way older public docks did not. To many observers, that looks like a transfer…

The idea that cross-border electricity supply weakens India usually emerges from a simple fear: energy equals sovereignty. If power flows across borders, it feels like dependence. In public debate, regional grids are often framed as vulnerability, rather than resilience. What this overlooks is how modern power systems actually work. Stability comes from diversity of supply,…

The belief that renewable energy, especially solar, is more expensive than coal persists in debates over power planning, consumer bills and energy policy in India. This perception lingers because coal has powered India’s grid for decades, and older tariffs often included hidden subsidies or cost structures that didn’t reflect full fuel price risks or long-term…

The idea that airport privatisation creates monopolies comes from how airports appear on a map. Each city has a single main airport. So when a private operator takes over, it appears a single company has gained exclusive control over a critical gateway. That visual reality is mistaken for market power. In practice, India’s airport system…

India’s infrastructure is often described as “sold off” to corporates. The phrase sounds alarming because it blurs a crucial distinction: ownership versus operation. Roads, ports, airports, power networks, rail corridors and urban utilities remain public assets. What private companies receive is not ownership, but time-bound permission to build, operate and maintain them under strict contracts.…

Large urban redevelopment projects in India often trigger fear because past experiences have linked “renewal” with displacement. Dharavi carries that history more intensely than most places. It is dense, informal, economically active and millions of people have seen similar settlements cleared with little security. When the phrase “Dharavi redevelopment” circulates, it is filtered through that…

The belief that large infrastructure projects in India simply override environmental concerns stems from the visibility of their physical footprint. Highways cut through forests, ports reshape coastlines, and power plants alter landscapes. When people see construction begin, it often feels abrupt and irreversible, as if permissions were waved through behind closed doors. What is less…

The fear around smart meters is rooted in a broader unease with digital systems. Phones track movement, apps record behaviour and online platforms profile users. This paranoia compounds as there has been a growing belief that if electricity meters become “smart”, it could feel like that same surveillance has entered our homes. The assumption is…