By IANS,
New Delhi : In a startling disclosure, a Parliamentary Standing Committee Tuesday said that Delhi is running far behind the schedule in preparing for the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
The committee, headed by CPI-M Rajya Sabha member Sitaram Yechury, said accommodation of a large number of guests during the Games would be a major problem as there are not enough hotels.
“The committee is perturbed to note that the countdown to Commonwealth Games has begun but there seems inadequate infrastructure in all sectors such as roads, airport, accommodation, surface transport, entertainment, basic amenities, parking, information centres, security, stadia and supply of power.”
The committee is concerned that no proposal from the Delhi government for the infrastructure development, creation and renovation of hospitality facilities, modernization of tourist sites was submitted or pending with the ministry of tourism till Nov 2008.
The committee felt many projects are yet to be initiated, let alone completed. “In such a situation, absence of any proposal from the National Capital of Territory of Delhi surprises the committee.”
It said the pace of creation of additional hotel accommodation at 39 hotel sites, auctioned by the Delhi Development Authority since Jan 2006, is tardy and behind the schedule. Of the proposed 39 additional hotels, work is going on only at 19 sites.
“About 30,000 rooms were needed during the Games, but only 1,924 rooms are under the definite category, 2,015 rooms are likely and the 1990 rooms doubtful.”
The committee also notes that there are multiple agencies (DDA, CPWD, MCD, NDMC..) working on the Games projects, but there is no coordination among them.
The committee emphasised the need to designate a single centralised authority to co-ordinate the work of the various agencies.
It said the work on tourist spots was hampered by the lack of accessibility to many destinations and monuments, resulting in a near absence of tourism in such places.