Paharganj and Karolbagh Areas to have a facelift soon

For upgrading Paharganj and Karol Bagh Areas MCD received Rs 77Cr

The capital is expecting a huge inflow of tourists, both domestic and international which will increase the demand of accommodation in the city. Government is taking several steps to upgrade the facilities available.

Paharganj and Karol Bagh, two old and congested localities in the capital, are set to get a facelift before Commonwealth Games 2010.

The two localities, close to New Delhi railway station, are home to innumerable budget hotels and guest houses, as these areas attract a large number of domestic and international tourists.

With the capital facing an accommodation shortage for tourists likely to visit during the mega event, tourism minister Kumari Selja on Wednesday said that road and transport ministry had already allocated Rs 44 crore for Paharganj and Rs 33 crore for Karol Bagh to Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), which takes care of the two areas.

The Centre aims to completely transform the area with upgrade of roads, construction of new parking lots and also imparting training to hotel and guest house owners and staff.

Selja said, ‘‘Ministry of road transport has sanctioned funds under central roads funds (CRF) for developing civic amenities in the two areas. Around 11,000 rooms available from licensed guest houses in these areas will be utilized during the sporting event.’’

Many tourists both domestic and international prefer to stay in these two areas due to the affordable accommodation they offer and central location.

As the two areas face huge parking problem, Selja said tourism ministry had also given MCD Rs 11 crore to build two parking bays and other civic amenities.

A Singapore-style stack car parking will come up in Paharganj before the Games. In this hydraulic stack parking system, which will be multilevel, cars can be moved vertically or horizontally with powerful hydraulic lifts. ‘‘Major overhaul will be done so that the area attracts as many tourists as possible,’’ said a tourism ministry official.

Training programmes have also been conducted for owners and staff of hotels and guest houses in the two localities on how to behave with guests and what kind of facilities to provide.

The country expects over 1, 00,000 tourists during the October 3-14, 2010 Games.

‘‘With a view to provide the required additional room capacity of 30,000 in NCR, the ministry is undertaking regular monitoring of ongoing projects. In the recent review meeting in October, of the 10,268 rooms in definite category, 5,645 (over 55%) were found to be complete and directions have been given to complete the remaining well before the Games,’’ Selja said.

In another move, the Cabinet on Thursday is likely to approve revised budget of around Rs 1,600 crore for the Games Organizing Committee.