2 DDA sports projects hit DUAC hurdle

Even as reports of work on Commonwealth Games 2010 projects being delayed are making news, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has been pulled up for not submitting the right plans to the DUAC (Delhi urban arts commission) for approval. The plans that were submitted for the table-tennis and archery venues at the Yamuna Sports Complex were found to be wanting in many respects. In fact, the lack of consistency in the drawing plans that were submitted was given as one of the reasons for delay in giving approval to the DDA, said DUAC officials.

The commission found that there was no plan for external circulation (movement of people), including connectivity with the city network, for the TT venue. The commission also noted that the pedestrian movement plan of the whole complex, including the archery venue, needed to be submitted as well. In the archery venue, too, the project proponent had failed to adhere to the commission’s observations in its drawings submitted earlier.

DUAC had a few days ago refused permission to the DDA’s two indoor stadiums for squash and badminton events at Sri Fort complex in South Delhi citing lack of norms. Speaking to TOI, DUAC chief KT Ravindran admitted that approval was not given to the projects. ‘‘We have put all Commonwealth Games projects on high priority and the moment we get the right plans from DDA, approval will be given,’’ added Ravindran.

Claiming that the agency was only ensuring that rules were followed so that international-standard venues could be constructed for the Games, the DUAC chief said that though approval for projects had not been given at the Siri Fort complex, work was going on. ‘‘We do not want to delay the construction of the projects. But proper drawings and plans need to be submitted by the agencies concerned,’’ added the official.

DDA officials at the Siri Fort complex had been asked to provide a detailed landscaping plan for the venue and to plan adequate space for the entry and exit points to the stadium, which weren’t part of the plans submitted to the DUAC. Both the YSC and Siri Fort will also be used as training venues. In case of the Yamuna Sports Complex, the facilities will be redeveloped for aquatics, archery and hockey training, lawn bowling and rhythmic gymnastics.