For 2010 CWG Project in Old Delhi MCD seeks more funds

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is planning to seek more funds from the government for redevelopment of the Walled City in view of the Commonwealth Games 2010. Municipal councilors have alleged that scarcity of funds has led to the neglect of heritage projects in Shahjahanabad and the Walled City area.

Leader of MCD House Subhash Arya said: ‘‘While over Rs 500 crore has been given to NDMC for development of CP and other areas under them, we have not got any funds for redevelopment of Old Delhi which will be one of the main tourist attractions during the Games. We are going to demand more funds from the government for development of the Walled City.’’ The MCD has been allocated Rs 1,500 crore for the Games till date.

Meanwhile, a number of councilors, on Monday, expressed the need for creating a special task force for completing Commonwealth Games (CWG) related projects as many of them are falling behind schedule.

Councilors said sanitation condition in the city was worsening and special attention needed to be given to improve it before the Games. MCD is responsible for sanitation and collection of garbage around some of the Games venues for which they have not yet come up with comprehensive plan.

MCD commissioner K S Mehra said most projects under MCD would be completed by June 2010. ‘Plan for redevelopment of Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Marg, Jawaharlal Nehru Marg and Maharaja Agrasen Marg in Old Delhi areas are awaiting approval,” he said.