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PHD Chamber: Need for Games preparedness index

Staff Reporter

To ensure timely completion of all Commonwealth projects

Index should be updated every three months to assess the progress made, says PHD Chamber release
City’s train stations require up-gradation; 40,000 more hotel rooms needed to cater to Games tourists

NEW DELHI: The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry has highlighted the need for a “preparedness level index” for the Commonwealth Games scheduled to be held in the Capital from October 3 to 17, 2010. The index, claims PHD Chamber, will help ensure all projects associated with the Games are completed within the stipulated time frame.

“The index should take into consideration four important benchmarks — physical infrastructure, transportation, environment and human resource development mainly of sportspersons.

“This index should be updated every three months to assess the progress made and to take necessary corrective action in case of any delays,” said a release issued by the PHD Chamber. The Commonwealth Games, which would involve some 5,000 athletes from 53 countries, will be the largest sporting event ever staged in India. The release states that having staked India’s reputation on the event, the Capital is spending an estimated $12 billion to prepare the city for the Games.

“With little more than two years left, plans to build state-of-the-art sports facilities and transport infrastructure, including new roads, at least 10 flyovers and new underground subway lines, are yet to be executed.

Holistic strategies

Delhi’s train stations require up-gradation and the city will have to add some 40,000 hotel rooms to cater to those expected to visit for the Games,” notes the release. Stating that it was important that all development agencies including private players sit across the table to evolve holistic strategies to complete the projects in time, the release notes that the Municipal Corporation of Delhi is supposed to construct 16 railway/ road over bridges and under bridges all across the city. However, work on nine of them is yet to start as official clearance from the Railway Board is yet to come.

“All the agencies have to work round the clock to ensure that these projects are completed. The civic agency also needs to complete the 16 multi-level car parking sites before 2010, which have been in the pipeline since 2004,” notes the release.

Pointing out that the airport project was actually ahead of target, a senior official at the PHD Chamber said: “The third runway at the international airport opened recently and it can now handle 60 flights (landings/take-offs) an hour (to go up to 70 flights) and is equipped with latest systems and can ensure landing from both sides during low visibility. Construction of the terminal building is also moving at a fast pace, so is work on the airport express rapid metro link between the city and the airport.”

The release also notes that there is a need to ensure that there are enough rooms available for all categories of tourists.

“The bed and breakfast scheme launched by the Delhi Government, though started with a lot of expectations, is still to pick up. Not many people are keen about the project as they have apprehensions about how well it will be received after the Games. Also, a lot of money is required to come up to the standards and get the clearances,” states the release.

“Delhi, which is by itself beautiful and diversified with monuments, heritage buildings by-lanes, food and eateries from a bygone era to latest joints, has to work on its own individual strengths and highlight the same so that visiting delegates and sportspersons become our ambassadors,” said PHD Chamber president L.K. Malhotra.

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