More Money Being Pumped in for 2010 Commonwealth Games

Green lanes, impeccable drainage network and beautifully laid-out roads come Commonwealth Games 2010, Delhi's going to be a new city it seems. The Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) of Delhi government cleared 15 proposals worth Rs 398 crore recently. One project relates to the department of environment & forests whereas the remaining 14 are earmarked for the Public Works Department.

From grand plans for increasing the green footprint of the city to sprucing up the infrastructure, the government seems to be getting ready to go full steam ahead. According to CM Sheila Dikshit, the government was working to ensure world-class streetscaping and beautification around various stadiums during the Commonwealth Games. Apart from this, a proposal to develop greenery and beautification of various sites in and around Delhi has also been approved.

In all, Rs 272 crore would be released for greenery, streetscaping and beautification. At Chhatrasal Stadium near Delhi University, the government would spend Rs 23.88 crore while at the Games Village and Yamuna Sports Complex, Rs 40.66 crore and Rs 41.31 crore would be spent respectively.

The government also plans to spend the Games funds on strengthening the roads. In this respect, re-surfacing of PWD bituminous roads with plastic waste would be undertaken. It would take around seven months to complete the project, claimed the CM. The EFC has sanctioned Rs 27.71 crore for this. Around Rs 17 lakh per kilometer would be spent for re-surfacing, which are reportedly longer lasting than bituminous roads. In fact, according to the CM, re-surfacing of roads by use of plastic waste would go a long way in protecting the environment.

A proposal for improvement of drainage system by constructing RCC trunk drain on several roads in east Delhi would cost Rs 10.64 crore. This work will be completed within 11 months. It would prepare an alternative drainage system to avoid waterlogging during rainy season. The EFC has also sanctioned Rs 5.31 crore for re-modelling of the stormwater drain providing free flow of traffic at two T-junctions, improvement of footpath and re-surfacing of service road from Wazirpur Flyover to Madhuvan Chowk within four months.