Do you think that India and Delhi are ready for the Commonwealth Games
The countdown has begun for the Commonwealth Games (CWG) , scheduled to be held in New Delhi, India, from October 3 to 14, 2010, in which about 72 nations are planning to participate. India is no newcomer to hosting large scale international multi-sport events as it has already been a host to the Asian Games in 1982 as well as in 1951. However as Delhi gets prepared for the D-day questions are already being raised about the preparedness of India and Delhi for the CWG. Multi-pronged efforts in various directions dealing with the issues of Transport, Tourism, Games Venues and most importantly Security are being taken. However the moot question is will all these efforts gel together as a synchronized performance for the grand finale?
To answer this question a consolidated view of the efforts in various areas needs to be taken:-
1. Games Village: A new, modern Games Village is being built along the east bank of the Yamuna River. The Games Village will be spread over an area of 63.5 hectare (158.4 acre) and is situated near renowned monument and landmark the Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple.
2. Transport: A four-lane, 2.2 km underground stretch from Ring Road to Lodhi will link the Games Village to the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, reducing traveling time for athletes. Twelve new flyovers and several bridges and under-bridges are being constructed to improve road connectivity with the Games Villages, the sports venues, and within the city. Road widening also is in progress. The new eight-lane expressway from Gurgaon to Delhi is functional. A total of 1,100 new low floor, high-capacity air-conditioned buses will ply on Delhi roads by 2010 to ease commuting. Delhi will have a dedicated Metro line from the airport to the city centre - Connaught Place - by 2010. The Games Village as well as the main competition venues such as the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and the Indira Gandhi Stadium will be connected through the Metro. To support air travel, the Indira Gandhi International Airport is being modernized, expanded, and upgraded.
3. Traffic : The govt. of Delhi has planned dedicated lanes for transporting athletes and Games family during the Games. There would be dedicated focal points for pick-up and drop facilities for spectators and workforce including volunteers. The problem of congestion around stadium / venues is addressed by providing park and ride, park and walk facilities near stadium. The Delhi government in coordination with Metro plans to provide shuttle service from Metro stations to the venues. The traffic police will make detailed plans for traffic diversion to minimize inconvenience to public.
4. Tourism : According to official estimates, two million foreign tourists and 3.5 million domestic tourists are likely to arrive in Delhi in 2010 to witness the Games.In order to cater to the tourist influx, the monuments and heritage buildings would be refurbished and the hitherto neglected areas of East Delhi will get a striking makeover. Moreover the government is providing tax incentives for hotel rooms to be constructed in India, with a focus on tourist regions of Agra & Jaipur. Additionally, the government has extended a five-year tax rebate to the tourism industry to create jobs and increase development.
5. Security: The capital has received Rs 22 crore for security up gradation, which would include installation of CCTVs at 58 markets and 27 border checkpoints. There will be 29 more police stations in the 12 police districts. More than 6,000 officers across ranks will be recruited before the Games, a process already underway.The modernization plans include helicopters for aerial surveillance. Indian states will be deploying a force of "tourist police" far before the Games begin. These tourism police are regular state police forces, but will be trained to handle tourist-related aspects. A number of states have already implemented this program; other states are expected to emulate this model within the end of the year. After a few early setbacks, India is back on track to host a successful Commonwealth Games in October next year but there is absolutely no margin to ease up on preparations, games federation president Mike Fennell has said. India has emerged as a force to be reckoned with in today's times as the third largest economy in Asia. It is a question of now or never for India to prove it's mettle by presenting Delhi as a grand showcase to the world as a venue for the CWG. Work on some of the above mentioned points is lagging behind schedule but we certainly have the capacity, infrastructure and resources for conducting a sporting event of the magnitude of the Commonwealth Games and there is no reason why we shall not be able to put up a befitting performance if we continue working hard in the right direction.
By
k .Jui
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