The 2010 Commonwealth Games can make Delhites proud. Or it can lead to structures cropping up in environmentally-sensitive areas. By SIDDHARTH NAHATA
As we started from our office, we got stuck in a jam due to the High
Capacity Bus Corridor being built in Delhi. Moving forward, we could see several construction-related activities. It seemed as if Delhi had been dug out, which is somewhat true. The main factor behind the government’s massive attempt to transform the face of Delhi is the Commonwealth Games, scheduled to be held in the Capital in 2010. We finally reached the Games’ Village site near the banks of the Yamuna, adjacent to the biggest Hindu Temple, Akshardham, and being developed by Emaar MGF. The site is proposed to be the residence for athletes, and will comprise over 1,200 flats.
Numerous cranes and an army of workers were engaged in shaping up Delhi’s new landmark. A senior Emaar MGF executive, who was in charge of the site, says, “The project will see investments of upto Rs.1,200 crores and we are running three months ahead of schedule (April 2010).” He adds that 1,800 people were deployed and the figure will shoot up to over 2,000. A Delhi Development Authority (DDA) official contends that “there will be state-of-the-art training facilities next to the Village. We are linking the site via the Metro.”
A chief engineer in DDA confidently says that “everything is fine and on time. It’s like a marriage function; cards have been printed and distributed. We have to be ready at all cost and we will be ready to act as a perfect wedding host.” Even the budgets seem to be in place. In 2007-08, the union finance ministry has budgeted Rs.150 crores to the ministry of youth affairs and sports and Rs.350 crores to the Delhi government for the games. Adds the DDA chief engineer, “Earlier, we gave a budget of Rs.300-odd crores, but new estimates suggest that we require Rs.600 crores. This is under consideration, but we are getting funds regularly.”
Well, it does seem that the policy makers have things under control. Says R. Subramanian, chief engineer, PWD, “More than 100 infrastructural projects are under various stages of completion, and many more than that figure have been completed.” A PWD official on the condition of anonymity adds, “Sometimes, we face land acquisition problems and these are mainly due to DDA. It’s not the fault of DDA; it is our entire system which is bit odd and complex.”
However, like any other mega project, the Games has been criticised by environmentalists. Rajendra Singh, a Magsaysay Award winner, reveals: “The Village site is an environmental disaster. The development is taking place on Yamuna Khadar. Other people will now argue that if the Village can be built on Yamuna banks, why not other structures. The crux of the matter is that everything is happening on the back of dirty politics and this is sad.” Nevertheless, the work is on and it could be Delhi’s last chance to become a New York, or London.
As we started from our office, we got stuck in a jam due to the High
Capacity Bus Corridor being built in Delhi. Moving forward, we could see several construction-related activities. It seemed as if Delhi had been dug out, which is somewhat true. The main factor behind the government’s massive attempt to transform the face of Delhi is the Commonwealth Games, scheduled to be held in the Capital in 2010. We finally reached the Games’ Village site near the banks of the Yamuna, adjacent to the biggest Hindu Temple, Akshardham, and being developed by Emaar MGF. The site is proposed to be the residence for athletes, and will comprise over 1,200 flats.Numerous cranes and an army of workers were engaged in shaping up Delhi’s new landmark. A senior Emaar MGF executive, who was in charge of the site, says, “The project will see investments of upto Rs.1,200 crores and we are running three months ahead of schedule (April 2010).” He adds that 1,800 people were deployed and the figure will shoot up to over 2,000. A Delhi Development Authority (DDA) official contends that “there will be state-of-the-art training facilities next to the Village. We are linking the site via the Metro.”
A chief engineer in DDA confidently says that “everything is fine and on time. It’s like a marriage function; cards have been printed and distributed. We have to be ready at all cost and we will be ready to act as a perfect wedding host.” Even the budgets seem to be in place. In 2007-08, the union finance ministry has budgeted Rs.150 crores to the ministry of youth affairs and sports and Rs.350 crores to the Delhi government for the games. Adds the DDA chief engineer, “Earlier, we gave a budget of Rs.300-odd crores, but new estimates suggest that we require Rs.600 crores. This is under consideration, but we are getting funds regularly.”
Well, it does seem that the policy makers have things under control. Says R. Subramanian, chief engineer, PWD, “More than 100 infrastructural projects are under various stages of completion, and many more than that figure have been completed.” A PWD official on the condition of anonymity adds, “Sometimes, we face land acquisition problems and these are mainly due to DDA. It’s not the fault of DDA; it is our entire system which is bit odd and complex.”
However, like any other mega project, the Games has been criticised by environmentalists. Rajendra Singh, a Magsaysay Award winner, reveals: “The Village site is an environmental disaster. The development is taking place on Yamuna Khadar. Other people will now argue that if the Village can be built on Yamuna banks, why not other structures. The crux of the matter is that everything is happening on the back of dirty politics and this is sad.” Nevertheless, the work is on and it could be Delhi’s last chance to become a New York, or London.
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