2010 Commonwealth Games thread (for updates!)

[kronik]

Thanks Cov Boy.

With so many other projects going on the country, this thread got overlooked for some time.

C'wealth Games bill shocks Aiya

The 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games are expected to showcase India as a sporting destination and it may also act as a catalyst in the lead up to a possible Olympic bid in 2016.

But the Commonwealth Games are going to cost more than Rs 5,000 crore.

When the closing ceremony for the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games took place India dished out a Bollywood spectacle.

From Aishwarya Rai to Saif Ali Khan many big stars of Bollywood took part. The flag was handed to India, hosts of the next games.

The occasion was grand and so was the bill.

The 12 minutes of song and dance programme cost the organising committee Rs 29 crore and another Rs 11 crore were spent to just fly in guests and officials to Melbourne for the various programmes.

No wonder the sports ministry isn't too happy.

"Let us not have extravagance," Union Minister for Sports Mani Shanker Aiyar says.

The huge expenditure is the latest flash point between Mani Shankar Aiyar and Suresh Kalmadi.

On Wednesday the government reconstituted the Apex Committee for the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Sports Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar will head the committee which has overriding powers to organise the games.

The organising committee headed by Suresh Kalmadi says it is in charge.

So why is the tussle?

That is because a huge amount of money is involved.

There are four stakeholders involved in organising the games, the Delhi Government, Sports Authority of India (SAI), Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and the organising committee. Each has put in its own requests for money.

The Delhi government has asked for Rs 1,314 crore for creating infrastructure, flyovers, new roads and to find a solution to Delhi's chaotic traffic.

DDA has to build the athletes village and it is likely to cost around Rs 180 crore.

An indoor stadium for badminton and squash at the Siri Fort complex is also in the pipeline.

A new indoor stadium for table tennis at the Yamuna Sports Complex is to be built. The total budget for all the new construction is around Rs 983 crore.

The Sports Authority of India has asked for the biggest chunk of Rs 1,700 crore to renovate all existing stadiums as they are in a bad shape and need an urgent makeover. SAI also needs to build a few more stadiums.

While the organising committee wants Rs 980 crore.

The breakup is as follows: Rs 200 crore for conducting the games, Rs100 crore for the opening and closing ceremonies, Rs 100 crore for equipment, Rs 50 crore for the expenses at the games village, Rs 40 crore for the media center, Rs 45 lakh to be paid to each of the 71 countries as part of the training expenses.

If all the above amount is added up the Commonwealth Games will cost the country Rs 5,145 crore.

"It is too much," Aiyar says.

The total cost of the 2006 Melbourne games was roughly $500 million (Rs 2,290 crore).

The Indian estimate is more than double that figure. So are the numbers exaggerated and will most of the expenditure be a waste.

Given the track record of the Organising Committee it would seem so. So far the Suresh Kalmadi is maintaining a stoic silence.

[Luckystreak]

If all the above amount is added up the Commonwealth Games will cost the country Rs 5,145 crore.

"It is too much," Aiyar says.

The total cost of the 2006 Melbourne games was roughly $500 million (Rs 2,290 crore).

This is ridiculous.

The scenario in Melboune and Delhi is totally different.
The Melbourne organisers must have specified the actual cost of hosting the games and not the cost of bringing in basic infrastructure in place. Melbourne is a sports city, they have everything already in place for big events. If they were to include laying roads in Melbourne gullies and construction costs of MCG and other stadiums, then obviously the costs would have risen exponentially.

Thankfully, the Indian sports ministry has not included the cost of Delhi Metro/airport modenisation in the expenditure list.

[sammyk]

I'm pretty sure I've read the Melbourne games went over $1B AUD. Probably around $800M USD.

Perhaps there are more infrastructure needs in India than in Australia?

[kronik]

Absolutely, thats exactly what it is. Australia is a sports loving nation with excellent sports infrastructure. Add to that better transport system, better roads, and a more regulated traffic. All they need to do is spend comparatively lesser on upgradations, and spend on security.

These costs don't involve the security costs at all, which again the dorky media seems to have overlooked. The security costs alone will have to be huge to ensure a safe games. And with spineless netas ruling us at all levels, you can be sure there will be terrorists aching to create trouble.

If a developing country has to present itself at par with the developed world, it will have to spend some moolah. Delhi's case is no different. Hopefully Mani Shankar Aiyar can see that.

[Arunava]

Melbourne cost over $1b, although that includes $500m for the MCG which wasn't just for the CG. I think Delhi needs to make these investments now....as a world city of growing stature, it makes sense to upgrade all their venues to world-class now when given the opportunity.

[Cov Boy]

I agree with some of the comments made here & it is true to say that the Melbourne scenario was different to Delhi and other cities that hosted the CWG. Many of the venues and infrastructure was in place at Melbourne hence the costs were lower. Take Delhi, a sprawling city with a population of 12.8 million (might be more) and growing/expanding each year with a booming economy. Of course Delhi will have to spend alot more on infrastructure (new & existing) not just for the games but to give the city a hugh maker-over as well. Its going in the right direction and im postive that all will be in place by 2010. The airport, Metro and roads are a step in the right direction.

The official web-site has been up-dated. www.cwgdelhi2010.com

[Bombay Boy]

i think the games (and the commonwealth itself) are a waste. the excuse to spend on infra and the deadlines associated with it are good for delhi though. they should hold a major event like this in rotation amongst the big cities just to get our wonderful politicians to spend some money on our cities, even if it is just to save face

[pding]

what a retard??? he should look into the facts before commenting.......

these days the Left politicians are changing (slowly but the change is visible), and we hear this rubbish from Aiyar like ppl.

[jacques]

I'm glad they are trying to make an effort to improve infrastructure on the pretext of CW. Hopefully Delhi will be a changed city by 2010.

[kronik]

from ePaper of The Tabloid....

Preparations on track, says federation chief

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi: The Commonwealth Games Federation has given an all-OK sign to Delhi’s preparations for the 2010 Games.

President of the Federation Michael Fennell had a meeting with chief minister Sheila Dikshit on Tuesday to discuss the plans for infrastructure development for the Capital. Expressing satisfaction over the preparations Fennell said: ‘‘We have been presented with the developmental plans for Delhi. We are quite satisfied with the plan formulated by Delhi government. We have reviewed them briefly, particularly water supply, electricity and transport facilities that need to be provided.’’

Fennell said that all eyes are on India now. Praising the programme presented by India at the closing ceremony of Melbourne Games, he said: ‘‘Delhi put up a spectacular show. The world caught a glimpse of India and now the expectations from Delhi are very high. Sports lovers now want to come to Delhi and see what it is all about. We have got assurances that all the things are on track.’’

Fennell mentioned that CII had apprised him of significant investment made in the power sector in the run up to the Commonwealth Games 2010.

He also stressed the need of coordination between all the stakeholders of the Games to ensure its grand success.

Fennell disclosed that a Coordination Commission would be making its first visit to Delhi to assess the preparations. It would closely monitor the preparations at different level continuously for three days. Dikshit disclosed that Delhi chief secretary would work as nodal officer and oversee arrangements of security.

[Suncity]

Originally Posted by kronik

from ePaper of The Tabloid....

Preparations on track, says federation chief

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

The Hindustan Times gives a complete new twist to the same visit! Read in conjunction with the TOI, you don't know whom to trust. Though I wiuld say teh HT journo maybe adding up some masala (on his own or by unnnamed sources).

Games plan tripping on water, power, Delhi told
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1714858,0035.htm

The Delhi government maybe going ga-ga over its preparation for the Commonwealth Games 2010 but they don’t even have the basic necessities — water and power.

This came right from the top — Commonwealth Games Federation president Michael Fennell.

Fennell was in Delhi on Tuesday to review the preparedness of the city for hosting the next Games. Top officials of the government tried to make his visit memorable by brushing aside the problem, but sources said that Fennel did ask uncomfortable questions on the availability of power and infrastructure in the city and whether all the promised facilities would be in place, in time.

Sources in the meeting said that Fennell told CM Sheila Dikshit and top officials of the government that he has been reading about the power problems of Delhi in the newspapers. "Is the situation really bad in the city?" asked the Jamaican national to a stunned gathering of politicians and bureaucrats. Then, he made the atmosphere slightly light by saying that the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) had told them that significant investment has been made in the power sector in Delhi.

CM Sheila Dikshit, realised the importance of Fennel's comments and said that dedicated lines would serve all the Commonwealth venues, Games' village and hotels and the and there was no need for concern.

Fennel, nevertheless, was perhaps not satisfied. Emerging from the meeting in which Indian Olympic Association president Suresh Kalmadi and several HoDs of Delhi participated, the CGF president said that water supply, power and transport needed improvement. "We have got assurance from the government that things are on the right track," he told reporters.

Not satisfied with Delhi's efforts so far, Fennell said that a Coordination Commission would make its first visit to Delhi soon to assess the preparations.

[harsh1802]

I really believe that Delhi is a real bad place to host such an event.

We simply don't have such infrastructure over ther...Common.....even a blind man cld 'see' tht...we are going to look pretty bad in the eyes of the whole commonwealth and the rest of the world.

[Bombay Boy]

CM Sheila Dikshit, realised the importance of Fennel's comments and said that dedicated lines would serve all the Commonwealth venues, Games' village and hotels and the and there was no need for concern.

how sweet. dedicated, uninterrupted power for foreigners while the rest of delhi probably melts away. dikshit should really be trying to make all of delhi have 24 hours electricity, not just a priviliged few

[Suncity]

Originally Posted by Bombay Boy

how sweet. dedicated, uninterrupted power for foreigners while the rest of delhi probably melts away. dikshit should really be trying to make all of delhi have 24 hours electricity, not just a priviliged few

Delhi has very little control when it comes to power and water supply. It has to depend on its neighbouring states. So Dikshit can hardly promise anything more on this front. She can only put efforts to make the distribution system better.

Shinde blames Uttar Pradesh for Delhi power crisis
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060508/main1.htm

Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde said here today that Uttar Pradesh was responsible for the power crisis which had gripped Delhi by overdrawing 400 MW from the northern grid. He said Uttar Pradesh had snatched power in excess of 400 MW from the northern grid, causing shortage in Delhi.

He said the state had been directed to maintain grid discipline and asked to restrain from overdrawing power. He said it would take at least one week for the position to stabilise.

He said the Centre would ensure that Delhi did not face any power shortage.

He said the Capital would tap captive plant capacity to overcome the shortfall and hoped that the crisis would be resolved within a week.

Speaking about power generation, Mr Shinde said both northern and southern states had failed to enhance their power generation capabilities.

He said this had resulted in peak load shortage of 12 per cent and energy shortage of eight per cent. He said only additional generation capacity throughout the country could offset this.

Shinde today warned that states which were “overdrawing” power from the northern grid would be referred to the regulatory commission.

Centre asks states to increase power generation
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/...ow/1595060.cms

The Centre on Tuesday asked state governments to increase power generation capacities and reduce commercial losses to make the electricity sector financially viable and encourage greater private participation.
"Many states have not added any significant capacity in the last 5-10 years. This has worsened the power scenario in the country," Power Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said at a meeting with power and energy secretaries of states.

While Central public sector units have added substantial generation capacity, states have so far lagged behind, Shinde said, adding the ministry would take up the matter of states not spending their allocated funds on capacity expansion with the Planning Commission.

The efficiency level of state utilities is far below that of the national average, he said. Moreover, Aggregate Technical and Commercial (ATC) losses in some states were as high as 70 per cent, he said, and asked state governments to cut losses.

[Suncity]

Originally Posted by harsh1802

I really believe that Delhi is a real bad place to host such an event.

We simply don't have such infrastructure over ther...Common.....even a blind man cld 'see' tht...we are going to look pretty bad in the eyes of the whole commonwealth and the rest of the world.

Delhi is actually a great place to hold such an event. It has a pretty good infrastructure and the amount of construction going on to improve the situation is impressive. Plus there is more in the pipeline.

What will be the hard part is not infrastructure (you pour money and you get it) - but changing the attitude of the people - to stop them from encroaching on public land, dirtying the city, not obeying traffic rules, stealing power and water. The other thing will be to clear the city of all touts who harrass tourists and keep a strict watch on street side romeos.

[kronik]

Much of Delhi's problems are due to the shortsightedness of India's politicians. Never in their public life have they planned for the future. They only get things done (or rather are forced to get things done) when shit is about to hit the fan. Besides, they are world champions in talking out of their ass.

But hopefully the Reliance plant at Dadri will be Delhi's savior. It is supposed to be commissioned by 2008-2009, and is expected to solve much of Delhi's power problems. the Tehri Dam project in Uttaranchal is another project that the power masters in New Delhi are looking at to solve the problem. Also, 3 years is enough time to considerably improve on power distribution and cutting down T&D losses.

In the end, it comes down to political will. Either the politicians continue to let people break rules in hopes of getting their votes or actually try to work for India for a change. The CM may be raring to go, but as long as the Delhi MLA is the same self-serving, law-breaking, encroaching thief, things probably will improve only a little bit.

Coming to the Dadri plant, Mulayam may be a culprit of the highest order, but he is still a friend of the Ambanis, and will probably see to it that the project gets started in time. The Tehri project is expected to start generating power within this month, with 250 MW in the first phase, and another 250 MW a month after it.

[pding]

Harsh: you gotta be kidding me dude. Delhi has the best infrastructure of all Indian cities. and with new flyovers and all the preparation for CW Games, it's only leaping forward. no other city in India, with a considerable population, will catch up with Delhi any time soon.

[harsh1802]

Originally Posted by pding

Harsh: you gotta be kidding me dude. Delhi has the best infrastructure of all Indian cities. and with new flyovers and all the preparation for CW Games, it's only leaping forward. no other city in India, with a considerable population, will catch up with Delhi any time soon.

Well i'm not sure abt it right now. But when i went for my VISA in '04, it didn't impress me yet all. Not even with the new metro.

Sorry mate, i have to differ with you on tht.



May be other places like Noida, Hyderabad, Chandigarh wld have been a better alternatives to Delhi.

Too much pollution and population.

[jacques]

Originally Posted by Suncity

Delhi is actually a great place to hold such an event. It has a pretty good infrastructure and the amount of construction going on to improve the situation is impressive. Plus there is more in the pipeline.

What will be the hard part is not infrastructure (you pour money and you get it) - but changing the attitude of the people - to stop them from encroaching on public land, dirtying the city, not obeying traffic rules, stealing power and water. The other thing will be to clear the city of all touts who harrass tourists and keep a strict watch on street side romeos.

You hit the nail on the head. Until private citizens recognize their responsibilities to the city and environment, Delhi cannot be a world class city. A simple starting point can be to not throw your trash everywhere and put it in the rubbish bin.

But these changes in attitudes can take one or more generations as previously held irresponsible attitudes and indifference is deeply ingrained in the Indian psyche.

By 2010 they will have built most of the flyovers as scheduled, but you can't simply 'flyover' the very real problems that Delhi faces. There has to be a grassroots effort to raise consciousness about the environment and the individual responsibility it takes to keep the city clean, habitable, and presentable.

[Bombay Boy]

Originally Posted by pding

Harsh: you gotta be kidding me dude. Delhi has the best infrastructure of all Indian cities. and with new flyovers and all the preparation for CW Games, it's only leaping forward. no other city in India, with a considerable population, will catch up with Delhi any time soon.

delhi's got very good 'visible' infrastructure. roads, open spaces, etc. but its internals have a long way to go. water, power, sewage, public transport, etc. the attitude of the public towards women, esp towards foreign women, even more so

a lot needs to be done before the cwg, make no mistake about it. no one can relax