New Delhi, June 24 -- A day before the 100-day countdown to the Commonwealth Games begins, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said the Capital was ready to host even the Olympic Games.
She said this on Wednesday at an HT conclave to mark the Games countdown and to launch its initiative, 'I Love Delhi: My Delhi My Games'. Sharing her confidence and the stage were Union urban development minister Jaipal Reddy and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) chief Suresh Kalmadi.
The CM admitted she was comfortable but nervous about the event. "We're ready for it. We have good infrastructure and facilities. We can definitely organise the Olympics."
But she said the success of the Games depended on the people of the city. "This is where HT's 'My Delhi My Games' slogan will help. It is not just for the government but for the people to take care. The Metro is an example. Delhiites treat it as their own; don't dirty it. We want them to feel the same way about the city," she said.
Opening the conclave, HT Media Ltd's Chairperson and Editorial Director Shobhana Bhartia said, "There is hardly anybody called a true-blue Delhiite. Delhi is becoming like the new Mumbai where people like me who grew up elsewhere make Delhi home. We all fit the description of the label Delhiite. The CWG has provided a unique opportunity to show off what we have."
Urban development minister Jaipal Reddy too backed the Delhi CM's confidence to host the Olympic Games. He revealed that his ministry has given Delhi a Rs 18,000 crore facelift for the Games.
"The Indian government will be more interested in Delhi than in any other part of the country (to host the Olympics)," he told the packed house. "With the Commonwealth Games, Delhi will undergo a mighty metamorphosis."
Amid the mood of upbeat confidence, Dikshit did point out a few problems. She asked the organising committee (OC) of the Games to do more to let people know where to get tickets from, saying that people are "itching to see the Games".
She also said that though the Games were conceptualised at least six years ago, things were left to the last minute.
"But a lot of planning has gone into it and all stake-holders - municipalities, the IOA, Delhi Police - have done their bit," she said.
IOA chief Suresh Kalmadi compared the CWG to an Indian wedding. "But we haven't left anything to the last minute. Everything is planned to the last T," he said. He also said that tickets for the opening and closing ceremonies were almost all sold out and joked that he wouldn't be able to fulfil the requests of Delhi's many VVIPs.
The conclave, which was also attended by star boxer Vijender Singh and film star Chitrangda Singh, ended on the celebratory note that it began. Kalmadi put the Games, Delhi and HT's initiative in perspective: "Come as a friend, go back as family."
courtesy: HT
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Relax, you can take your car out
You may not be prevented from driving your personal car around during the Commonwealth Games, but your movement will certainly be restricted.
Clearing all speculations, Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit said there were no plans to stop private vehicles from moving around when the Games are on.
"Private vehicles will continue to be there. There is nothing like even or odd registration number vehicles will not ply on particular days. We have prepared a traffic plan for the games," Dikshit said.
There are more than 60 lakh vehicles registered in Delhi and 1,000 new vehicles add to this number everyday.
With Delhi traffic police reserving one lane of several arterial roads exclusively for Commonwealth Games vehicles, people fear traffic bottlenecks all across the city during those 12 days of sporting gala.
Since schools will be closed and 8,000 buses would be off the roads, Dikshit said congestion would be taken care of. She said Delhi police was making traffic plans keeping both security and accessibility in mind.
"With so many flyovers coming up, traffic movement will be smooth," she said. She added that private vehicles would not be allowed around the venues.
Clearing all speculations, Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit said there were no plans to stop private vehicles from moving around when the Games are on.
"Private vehicles will continue to be there. There is nothing like even or odd registration number vehicles will not ply on particular days. We have prepared a traffic plan for the games," Dikshit said.
There are more than 60 lakh vehicles registered in Delhi and 1,000 new vehicles add to this number everyday.
With Delhi traffic police reserving one lane of several arterial roads exclusively for Commonwealth Games vehicles, people fear traffic bottlenecks all across the city during those 12 days of sporting gala.
Since schools will be closed and 8,000 buses would be off the roads, Dikshit said congestion would be taken care of. She said Delhi police was making traffic plans keeping both security and accessibility in mind.
"With so many flyovers coming up, traffic movement will be smooth," she said. She added that private vehicles would not be allowed around the venues.
12 days of Games, legacy for lifetime
The Asian Games in 1982 got Delhi some flyovers, five-star hotels and modern stadia.
“(But) with Commonwealth Games (CWG), Delhi will undergo a mighty metamorphosis,” said Union Minister for Urban Development, S Jaipal Reddy.
Widening of roads, spreading out the Metro network in Delhi and NCR towns, building elevated roads, streetscaping and of course, bringing up mega stadia — the Urban Development Ministry has spent Rs 18,000 crore to spruce up Delhi for the Games.
“We have to look at long-term infrastructure gains. Legacy of Games would be remembered for decades to come,” Reddy said.
Detractors claim a lot of money has been wasted; Reddy countered, “CWG is only a peg for big infrastructure projects, which are need for Delhi anyway. ”
“(But) with Commonwealth Games (CWG), Delhi will undergo a mighty metamorphosis,” said Union Minister for Urban Development, S Jaipal Reddy.
Widening of roads, spreading out the Metro network in Delhi and NCR towns, building elevated roads, streetscaping and of course, bringing up mega stadia — the Urban Development Ministry has spent Rs 18,000 crore to spruce up Delhi for the Games.
“We have to look at long-term infrastructure gains. Legacy of Games would be remembered for decades to come,” Reddy said.
Detractors claim a lot of money has been wasted; Reddy countered, “CWG is only a peg for big infrastructure projects, which are need for Delhi anyway. ”
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Take problems in right spirit
Delhi-based actress Chitrangada Singh, critically acclaimed for her role in the film Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi attended the HT Commonwealth Conclave as a panelist, and spoke about the responsibilities Delhiites have towards the Games, and how they can participate in making them a success.
"I have spent many important years of my life in Delhi and I feel a sense of belonging for the city. A lot of expenditure is incurred on Bollywood awards and other functions.
I'm really proud that this time it is being spent on a sports event," she said.
"We must all do what we can for the event; there will be problems, but we have to show the spirit," said the actress. "It is like a wedding, where the whole family gets together to make sure everything is okay, although there is always a sulking uncle somewhere."
About all the worry around the traffic jams expected during the event, she said, "It is a party, so you have to suffer a bit too."
Encouraging people to watch the events, she said, "Youngsters should see the endurance of the sportspersons and what they do on the field. We should all go online and buy tickets."
"I have spent many important years of my life in Delhi and I feel a sense of belonging for the city. A lot of expenditure is incurred on Bollywood awards and other functions.
I'm really proud that this time it is being spent on a sports event," she said.
"We must all do what we can for the event; there will be problems, but we have to show the spirit," said the actress. "It is like a wedding, where the whole family gets together to make sure everything is okay, although there is always a sulking uncle somewhere."
About all the worry around the traffic jams expected during the event, she said, "It is a party, so you have to suffer a bit too."
Encouraging people to watch the events, she said, "Youngsters should see the endurance of the sportspersons and what they do on the field. We should all go online and buy tickets."
'Book your tickets now'
This time round, no name-dropping or jugaad of any kind will help you if you have not purchased tickets for any of the Commonwealth Games (CWG) related events.
“Two days ago, I got a call from a VVIP asking me to keep 20 tickets for him and his family. Then another lot called asking for 18 tickets. People are apprehensive that they might not get the kinds of tickets that they want,” Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said at the HT Conclave on Wednesday.
So, Dikshit said, she rang up the office of Games’ Organising Committee chairperson Suresh Kalmadi. “This should be a lesson for Kalmadiji. People are itching to see the Games. We need to advertise where the tickets are being sold. I wouldn’t have got the calls had the sale of tickets been advertised better,” she added.
The tickets are selling like hot cakes with people from every nook and corner of the country and even from abroad booking tickets online for the much-awaited event to be held from October 3.
Kalmadi said, “Tickets are almost sold out … but now we may extend it for a few days on CM’s demand. People, please book it now.”
“Two days ago, I got a call from a VVIP asking me to keep 20 tickets for him and his family. Then another lot called asking for 18 tickets. People are apprehensive that they might not get the kinds of tickets that they want,” Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said at the HT Conclave on Wednesday.
So, Dikshit said, she rang up the office of Games’ Organising Committee chairperson Suresh Kalmadi. “This should be a lesson for Kalmadiji. People are itching to see the Games. We need to advertise where the tickets are being sold. I wouldn’t have got the calls had the sale of tickets been advertised better,” she added.
The tickets are selling like hot cakes with people from every nook and corner of the country and even from abroad booking tickets online for the much-awaited event to be held from October 3.
Kalmadi said, “Tickets are almost sold out … but now we may extend it for a few days on CM’s demand. People, please book it now.”
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