The Hindu : New Delhi News : A brand new look for Kotla neighbourhood

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 13, 2005

New Delhi

New Delhi

A brand new look for Kotla neighbourhood

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, APRIL 12. The Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf, and the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, might witness the sixth One-Day International match between India and Pakistan at the Ferozeshah Kotla Stadium here this coming Sunday for just about 70 minutes, but the area in and around the venue is undergoing a complete makeover. Both the Public Works Department and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi are working overtime to beautify vast stretches of roads that the VVIPs will take.

Not only is Bahadhur Shah Zafar Marg being beautified, it is also being made to look greener. And the road leading from ITO Crossing towards Ring Road and the ITO flyover-Ring Road stretch towards Raj Ghat is also receiving special attention of the civic agencies. The PWD has earmarked a budget of Rs. 12 crores for the works, while the MCD is spending Rs. 3 crores.

Elegant high-mast sodium vapour lamps are replacing regular streetlights on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg and on the stretch in front of the police headquarters. The streetlights have been painted bright silver and the lamps have shining reflectors.

Similarly, new inter-lock colourful tiles have replaced old and broken ones on the central verge of Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg leading up to Delhi Gate and on the road opposite the police headquarters. The roads are also being relaid around the stadium and special parking lots being created at the children's home run by Prayas and also along Shaheed Bhagat Singh Park.

To lend a greener look to the entire area, all the gardens on the central verge of Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg have been filled with fresh earth and planted with new saplings.

"We are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the whole area looks neat and clean. Both the MCD and PWD are working in complete coordination to beautify the whole area and I will undertake another inspection of the area on April 14. The Municipal Commissioner will also inspect the stadium as well as the area around it on Wednesday morning. Adequate attention is being paid to make the whole stretch on which the VVIPs will travel very soothing to the eye,'' said Delhi's Finance Minister A. K. Walia.

The power distribution company, BSES, has been asked to remove all over-head cables and lay them underground. The MCD has launched ``Operation Cleanliness'' around the stadium and is giving a fresh coat of paint to the railings and pedestrians paths along all the roads. The estimated budget for the entire facelift is expected to be around Rs. 15 crores as the authorities want to make the entire area look spick and span for the big occasion.

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