NEW DELHI: The Commonwealth Games-2010 are all set to move to Delhi's rural belt. The Rural Development Board has prepared a road map for developing infrastructure and holding some select events of the Commonwealth Games in the rural areas of the Capital. An outlay of Rs.100 crores has been provided for developing 50 model villages during the next four years.

Giving this information here on Monday, Development Minister Raj Kumar Chauhan said the project would be implemented in close coordination with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. Apart from developing the villages in a systematic manner, the scheme would entail taking care of the basic infrastructure including water, sewer and roads. Apart from developing the water bodies and protecting them by turning them into a major source for water needs for the villages, Mr. Chauhan said in order to stop the discharge of untreated and dirty water into these ponds and rivers, it had been decided to set up mini sewerage treatment plants.

Mr. Chauhan said that of the Rs.100 crores provided for development of villages, the MCD would be allocated Rs.40 crores to take up development projects including building of roads. As for holding of Commonwealth Games events, Mr. Chauhan said officials of the Rural Development Board would meet the Organising Committee and present their proposals before it for bringing sports infrastructure to the villages.

Stating that Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit was also keen on systematic development of the Capital's rural areas, Mr. Chauhan said that already Rs.36 crores had been disbursed for taking up 159 various projects under the Rural Development Board. Apart from this, Rs.12 crores had been earmarked for construction of roads and side-drains during the next one year.

"We are working towards making villages of Delhi some of the best spots. Not only would they work as a sports hub, efforts would also be made to develop them as major tourist destinations by working out a beautification plan, developing major designer parks and protecting the heritage, old monuments and ethnic look of the villages,'' he added.

Vacant land

Stating that there had to be equitable development between urban and rural areas of the Capital, Mr. Chauhan said a lot of vacant land was available in the Outer Delhi area and it would be his endeavour to ensure that people of rural Delhi also get to taste the various aspects of development including sports.

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