The Hindu : New Delhi News : Delhi under-prepared, says Commonwealth Games chief

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 09, 2005

New Delhi

New Delhi

Delhi under-prepared, says Commonwealth Games chief

By Sujay Mehdudia

The Commonwealth Games Federation president, Michael Fennel, being felicitated by the Union Sports and Youth Affairs Minister, Sunil Dutt, at a meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday. The Indian Olympic Association president, Suresh Kalmadi, is also seen. Photo: Sandeep Saxena

NEW DELHI, FEB. 8. The power point presentation by the Delhi Government was meant to sweep the Commonwealth Games Federation president, Michael Fennel, off his feet. Instead it turned into a nightmare of sorts for the top hierarchy of the Government including the Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit, her Cabinet colleagues and the Chief Secretary, S. Regunathan, after Mr. Fennel expressed strong reservations about the infrastructure, especially the roads and transportation system of the Capital, the host city of the 2010 Games.

In a blunt assessment of the present situation and the half-hearted preparations being made for the Games, Mr. Fennel reportedly stated that Delhi was "very under-prepared'' for hosting the Games at present and a lot needed to be done with regard to infrastructure including major upgradation of roads and transportation. Mr. Fennel's assessment was in contrast to the rosy picture painted by the Delhi Government and it left many red faces among those present on the occasion. Ms. Dikshit had taken along with her Ministers involved with various activities associated with the preparations for the Games. The remarks by Mr. Fennel have once again exposed the large gaps in the transportation system and the road network of the city that have been overlooked by the Delhi Government. As a parting shot, Mr. Fennel invited representatives of the Delhi Government to visit Melbourne that is the venue for the 2006 Commonwealth Games. Although the Sheila Dikshit Government has gone out of the way to ensure availability of funds for the Metro Rail projects, its other projects with regard to mass public transport have suffered from some hitch or the other. Vested interests within the Government have stalled projects like the High Capacity Bus System and have come up with new ideas on Electric Trolley Bus System and now the newly floated proposal for a Monorail. The Integrated Rail Bus Transport system has also failed to take off despite it getting the nod from various agencies two years ago. In its presentation to Mr. Fennel and the delegation led by him, the Delhi Government stated that it had prepared elaborate plans for upgradation of airports, railway services and bus stations. In addition, the stage has been set for linking the Metro rail to the Games Village and various stadia. It is also proposed to construct a super speciality hospital at the Games Village to cater to the medical needs of the sports professionals who would gather here during the 2010 Games. It has also been proposed to put in place 11 more flyovers primarily in East and South Delhi areas and also construct two by-pass roads on the outer periphery of Delhi to divert traffic away from the city. The Government has also stated that it proposes to undertake beautification of 250 km and widening of 40 km of roads along with installation of new designer streetlights and decorative street furniture near the stadia and places of tourist interest. For this purpose, the process had been set in motion to appoint private consultants who would assist the Government in this endeavour. In addition to this, it is also proposed to induct 1,000 dedicated low floor shuttle buses for catering to the needs of the visiting tourists. Of this, 200 buses would be air-conditioned and 800 deluxe buses to link the two airports, hotels, stadia and tourist spots and to provide park and ride facility. It is also proposed to develop adequate parking facilities around the stadia and a consultant was being appointed separately for preparing a comprehensive traffic management plan.

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