A Reality Check of Commonwealth Games 2010 venues

The Beijing Olympics is over and the action moves to London for the 2012 Olympic games. But before that, New Delhi is to host the Commonwealth Games in 2010. While Beijing Olympics showcased years of preparations which translated into an impressive visual treat and jaw-dropping examples of cutting-edge infrastructure, the level of the Capital’s preparedness on the other hand for an event that is barely two years away is worrying to say the least. Here is a reality check on the competition and training venues for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in the city which will see as many as 8,000 athletes participating.

The Following Agencies are engaged in the different activities of renovation, constructions and new developments:

• Central Public Works Department(CPWD)
• Public Works Department (PWD)
• New Delhi Municipal Corporation(NDMC)
• Delhi Development Authority (DDA)

Along with other small contractors and developers , appointed by these agencies
I will post the progress of these agencies , one by one in my coming posts

Is Delhi Ready to Play 2010 Commonwealth Games

If all plans and proposals for the 2010 Commonwealth Games be completed in time, we would have our very own Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium like The Nest was to Beijing 2008. Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium will be our very own Wukesong in less than two more years

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2010 Commonwealth Games will boost Tourism industry

Commonwealth games 2010, which is going to be held in India is going to be proved a boon for the travel and tourism industry, not only in India but almost the whole world will get some share of it .The most benefit is going for travel agents all around the world. As tourists battle to get a piece of the action there will be a sudden increase in demand for flights to India which means that companies can raise their prices. This is great news for travel agents because the games are taking place in October which is normally a quiet time for tour operators as everyone has just come back from their summer holidays.

The tour operators in India will do every effort to cash this opportunity, as it is most probable that the visitors coming for commonwealth games would like to travel various tourist destinations all over the country and in this way the industry is going to receive a huge revenue inflow. So it is highly likely that tour operators within India would be offering various different trips for those who have come to see the games. Excursions which will enable tourists to see some of the country while they are there are likely to soar in popularity while the event is taking place.

Travel agents aren’t the only ones likely to benefit from the Commonwealth Games taking place as the increase in tourism is going to have a massive impact on India’s economy and local businesses. Hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions are almost guaranteed an increase in business for the period just before, during and after the event is taking place. Not only does this bring in more money for these businesses but it means that more staff is going to have to be employed to cope with the demand. A demand for new employees is going to come at a great advantage to India’s local community who are searching for work.

It is unlikely that those attending the Commonwealth Games from various places all around the world are going solely for that purpose and therefore it is likely that they will be visiting various parts of the country. This means that it is not just the event that will be making lots of money but local businesses and services around the area will be as well. Local travel agents are likely to offer special trips for those who need a day away from the games and want to explore more of India.

The Commonwealth Games 2010 take place from the 3rd to 14th October 2010 and include a wide range of sporting activities from aquatics, archery and athletics to cycling, gymnastics, rugby and wrestling. There will be various different venues where all of the events will be taking place as well.

Delhi University preparing for 2010 Commonwealth Games

As Delhi University is selected as the venue for Aquatics and Rugby events for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, the University has big plans to set up an advanced Aquatics complex and a coaching centre to groom the budding talents for the mega event.

According to the plans the complex will have four pools -- swimming pool, synchronized swimming pool, warm-up pool and diving pool, each equipped with a filtration plant and heating system. The diving pool will have lift for diving tower.

These pools will be developed, keeping in mind the world level standards and would have world class facilities. Various technical organizations have been consulted to effectively implement the plans. The department of Physical Education and Sports, Delhi University has been given the work of proper supervision and implementations. In addition to this, National Institute of Physical Education, Gwalior has also been contacted for providing their expertise in construction of the swimming facilities.

The Delhi University Administration has proposed and earmarked 20 acres of land for the construction of various pools, and got approval from the organizing committee of the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

The Aquatic Complex proposed would also have fitness centers, store rooms, a dope sample collection centre and medical centers

The existing pavilion building is also planned for renovation for Rugby

The Delhi University does not want to lag behind in the terms of preparing its students for the games .For this purpose, the University administration has requested Sports Authority of India to start an in-house coaching centre on the campus, where training on every type of games will be provided.

Infrastructure development for 2010 Commonwealth Games - 4

The reality on the ground shows the snail's pace of work


And this is the Aerial View of the Stadium


Source : http://www.skyscrapercity.com

Infrastructure development for 2010 Commonwealth Games - 3

Thyagraj Sports Complex is the competition venue for netball and training venue for Athletics for Commonwealth Games, Delhi 2010. The site is located on shri Gangnath Marg in Thyagraj Nagar. Multipurpose air conditioned stadium with required facilities for netball and synthetic athletic tracks with required facilities are proposed to be constructed .In addition there will be 5 lawn tennis courts .The stadium has a seating capacity for 6823 spectators





Source : http://www.skyscrapercity.com

Infrastructure development for 2010 Commonwealth Games - 2

R . K Khanna Tennis Stadium and others , construction and developments on full swing



Source : http://www.skyscrapercity.com

Infrastructure Development for 2010 Commonwealth Games - 1

I have got some recent pictures of the various construction and development work going on for 2010 Commonwealth Games, from http://www.skyscrapercity.com/. I didn't know from where the guys got these pics , but they are really nice and also show all the reality behind the scene. Enjoy!!

New Accommodations at Commonwealth Games Village

Seldom does one gets an opportunity to own a piece of sporting history, and if it’s the residential infrastructure readied to accommodate athletes at the 2010 Commonwealth Games Village in Delhi, the legacy only gets stronger. The city is witnessing a complete infrastructural makeover. Part of this makeover, is the prestigious Games Village being developed close to the Akshardham Temple in East Delhi.

Leading developer Emaar MGF won, as a part of Delhi Development Authority’s global tendering process, this Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative which will be one of the most superior residential developments of the capital. Strategically located, the Games Village is a few minutes away from the Central Business District (CBD), with excellent connectivity by way of an elevated road network and metro services. The development will house 1,168 ultra-modern premium apartments, spread over 27.17 acres, and will house more than 8,000 athletes and officials during the Games.

“The Commonwealth Games Village, one of the landmark projects for our group, is a certified green development in the city that adheres to the most stringent quality parameters. The development will incorporate the best international practices and standards not only from a design perspective, but include modern energy solutions, including solar power for common areas, VRV technology air-conditioning systems, apart from comprehensive security systems like video phones,” said an Emaar MGF official.

The village is spread over 34 towers and international architects & designer SRSS of Singapore is working on the project. It will have two to five bedrooms apartments with sizes ranging from 1,250 sq ft to 3,000 sq ft and prices starting from Rs 1.75 crores and going up to Rs 4 crores. All the towers will range from six to nine levels and the residential complex will have a two-level car parking and services facilities at the basement level.

With more than 73% greens and open spaces, the whole area will be landscaped with gardens, walkways and pathways. The complex will include ample leisure and recreational facilities such as a health club, community centre, and clubhouse as well as convenience retail space apart from specific children play areas and recreation facilities for senior citizens. The village will have sports facilities like tennis courts, half-court basketball, a 30-metre lap pool with recreation bay and a bubble pool.

Says Anuj Puri, chairman of Jones Lang Lasalle Meghraj, “Apart from catapulting Delhi in the top league as a world-class city, this development will also help address the housing demand within the region. With construction on in full swing, the Village is making rapid progress towards the scheduled deadline of March 2010.

One of the key developments around this sporting event, the Games Village will be a defining example of superior Indian skills and capabilities. Once completed, the village will boast of 3.8 million sq ft built-up space housing the capital’s premier residential address.”

Officials Expressed Concerns over Games Preparations

I have posted on a topic about Delhi to learn from Chinese preparation model, in which I have quoted that some officials are visiting China to learn about their preparation of Olympic Games, which would help us in making better preparations for 2010 Commonwealth Games. Now when they have returned lets see what their opinion on the topic is:

Indian sports officials visiting Beijing to study the arrangements for the Olympic Games are having serious doubts about whether Delhi would be ready to host the Commonwealth Games by 2010.
‘‘It is not merely a question of infrastructure. It is the quality of organization. The manner in which the Olympics are being conducted makes me wonder if we can handle the job in 2010,’’ a senior official connected with the Commonwealth Games said, and added: ‘‘The Chinese are simply excellent in both allocating and implementing tasks. We work through committees with everyone escaping responsibility.’’
Visiting sports officials are expected to influence the decision-making process concerning the Commonwealth Games based on their experience in Beijing. But some of them worry that their feedback might be cast aside because it may hurt vested interests.
‘‘The Chinese have used existing infrastructure like the Workers’ Stadium and built new facilities as well. I am wondering if it was wise to reconstruct Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium instead of building a new one,’’ another official said. The official felt that there was very little time left for the Commonwealth Games to make major changes in design and layout and said ongoing work was already behind schedule.
‘‘Besides Beijing, the Olympic Games are being held in four co-host cities — Tianjin, Qingdao, Hong Kong and Shanghai. Why can’t we too involve other Indian cities instead of organizing all events in Delhi, which may not be able to handle the load?’’ an official said. This would also take visitors from abroad across the country and boost tourism, he added.
‘‘The Chinese seem to have planned meticulously right down to every minute detail. We are nowhere near them,’’ he said. Even the process of observing and learning from Beijing should have started much earlier, the official said.
The manner in which nearly 200,000 volunteers have been trained and mobilized is another lesson to be learnt for the 2010 Games in Delhi, an official observed. Volunteers are playing a key role in Beijing and helping develop a sense of nationalism connected to hosting of the Olympic Games. ‘‘A sense of nationalism is essential for any country not only to host such an event,’’ the official said.

Source: Times of India News Paper Delhi Edition