The Hindu : New Delhi News : Substandard material used in stadium construction: BJP

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Friday, Jul 16, 2010
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Substandard material used in stadium construction: BJP

Staff Reporter

Photo: Sushil Kumar Verma

Taking stock: Delhi BJP president Vijender Gupta (centre) visiting the Yamuna Sports Complex on Thursday. (Right) A part of the damaged false ceiling.

NEW DELHI: Following closely on the heels of the table tennis stadium roof at the Yamuna Sports Complex being blown away in last Monday's heavy rainfall, a BJP delegation that conducted “surprise” inspections at the other sports facilities in the Complex on Thursday alleged rampant use of “substandard material” for construction.

The BJP team lead by Delhi BJP president Vijender Gupta reported that besides the roof, the false ceiling had crashed and the wooden floor was damaged at the table tennis stadium.

‘Entry prevented'

The BJP alleged that Government officials attempted to prevent the delegation's entry into the stadiums. Mr. Gupta expressed surprise that media personnel were also denied entry into the stadium. He suspected this was done to “cover up the failures and corruption of the Government by imposing undeclared censorship”.

The delegation said that it saw that wooden floor tiles at the stadium, imported from Italy, had become swollen, though they were supposed to be “water-proof”.

“At various places, electric wires were loosely hanging and the ceiling, walls and floors were moist. The plastering was coming off at various places. At one place we found a huge swathe of plaster, 200 feet long by 30 feet wide, peeled off,” a statement by the BJP delegation said.

The BJP alleged that confusion persists at the site with the civil and electrical engineers blaming each other for the delays and neither sure when the work would be finished.

Mr. Gupta said the BJP favoured the successful conduct of the Commonwealth Games but was worried the country and the Capital would be embarrassed before representatives and sportspersons of 70 countries.

“The Government should ensure the completion of the work by maintaining international standards. From our inspection it has become clear that substandard material has been used,” said Mr. Gupta. The BJP leader said the party had planned a series of inspections in all the stadiums to ensure the work is completed on time and that the construction adheres to international standards.

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