PHD Chamber brings out blue print for projects completion before CWG

New Delhi, Aug 24 (UNI) With little more than two years left for Commonwealth Games (CWG) 2010, the PHD Chamber today mooted for construction of a 'preparedness level index' to ensure that all projects are completed within the stipulated time frame.

According to the industry body, the index should take into consideration four important benchmarks--physical infrastructure, transportation, environment and human resource development mainly sportspersons.

''This index should be updated every three months to assess the progress made and to take necessary corrective action in case of any delays,'' the chamber said.

Scheduled to be held in Delhi from October 3 to 17, 2010, CWG, which would involve some 5,000 athletes from 53 countries, will be the largest sporting event ever staged in the country.

Having staked India's reputation on the event, New Delhi is spending an estimated 12 billion dollars to prepare the city for the games.

Plans to build state-of-the-art sports facilities and transport infrastructure, including new roads, at least 10 flyovers and new underground subway lines, are yet to be executed.

The city's train stations require up-gradation and the city will have to add some 40,000 hotel rooms to cater to those expected to visit for the games, PHD Chamber said.

''It's important that all development agencies including the Private players sit across the table to evolve holistic strategies to complete the projects in time,'' the chamber suggested.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi is supposed to construct 16 railway and road over bridges and under bridges all across the city.

However, the work on nine of them is yet to start as official clearance from the Railway Board is yet to come, the industry body said.

''All the agencies have to work round the clock to ensure that these projects are completed. The civic agency also needs to complete the 16 multi-level car parking sites before 2010, which have been in the pipeline since 2004,'' it said.

The bed and breakfast scheme launched by the Delhi Government, though started with a lot of expectations, is still to pick up.

Efficient traffic management during the CWG could be the toughest job.

''An intelligent traffic management system, could ease the situation. We have to also plan the etiquette classes for volunteers and people handling public transportation,'' the chamber said.

UNI MP AK BD1200