Indian Tourist Transporters Association demands tax sops to procure new vehicles for the Commonwealth Games in 2010

Indian Tourist Transporters Association (ITTA) has asked the central and state governments to grant tax concessions for the procurement of new vehicles for the Commonwealth Games 2010 in New Delhi. The demand was voiced by Sarab Jit Singh, President, ITTA at the two-day annual conference of the Association in New Delhi last week (September 26 &27). Ambika Soni, Union Minister for Tourism & Culture, who inaugurated the conference, urged the tourist transporters to set benchmarks for the Commonwealth Games. Soni also informed the gathering that the Ministry of Tourism (MoT) has asked for separate serial codes called ‘TV’ for tourist vehicles to be identified and also single window tax collection for tourist vehicles from the Ministry of Shipping & Surface Transport. The other delegates present during the conference were A K Walia, Finance Minister, Delhi; Haroon Yusuf, Transport Minister, Delhi; and VK Duggal, Indian Union Home Secretary.

At the conference Singh put forward three important demands for the centre and state governments to consider. He asked for the transporters to be permitted duty-free import of foreign vehicles to be deployed during the Games and also demanded exemption from excise duty and VAT for vehicles purchased in the country. As a third incentive, ITTA asked MoT to consider five per cent interest subsidy on finance borrowed from financial institutions and banks for procurement of new vehicles, similar to MoT’s current assistance to tourism infrastructure development projects in remote areas.

Singh also informed that the tourist transporters required to make an estimated investment of Rs. 700 to 800 crore to procure new fleet of vehicles for the Games. “ITTA’s own estimate is that Commonwealth Games Committee will require minimum of 4,000 vehicles. This includes both Indian and imported vehicles,” stated Singh. He also urged the Games Organising Committee to come out with clear guidelines as to the number of vehicles required so that transporters can start the ground work for the same.

While making huge investment on procuring new fleet, transporters also fear a lull or slow down in the business after the Games. “It must be noted that there has been a lull in demand and business in China after the Olympics, as also in Melbourne after the 2006 Commonwealth Games. In view of the sudden high demand of vehicles for the Games and the expected lull subsequently, we want the centre and the state governments to come forward with necessary assistance to make our investments viable and sustainable in the long run,” Singh concluded.

In View of Commonwealth Games 2010 Haryana Tourism to launch Bed and Breakfast scheme in NCR

Keeping in mind the upcoming Commonwealth Games 2010, Haryana Tourism plans to launch a Bed and Breakfast scheme in the National Capital Region (NCR) on the lines of Delhi. The State Government is in the process of preparing the Enabling Act, which is already being implemented in Delhi.

Keshni Anand Arora, Secretary Tourism, Government of Haryana says, “The Department of Tourism will shortlist the houses and guest houses with better infrastructure and facilities to accommodate the guests under the scheme. It will also help to generate revenue for the department.”

Govt Committee For Fast Execution Of Power Projects For Commonwealth Games 2010

The government has constituted a monitoring committee, to be headed by Power Secretary Anil Razdan, to expedite the commissioning of power projects for the Commonwealth Games.

"High Level Monitoring Committee under the Chairmanship of Secretary (Power) to monitor and expedite the implementation of these projects," Minister of State for Power Jairam Ramesh said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.

The government has identified five projects that would supply power for the Commonwealth Games in 2010.

The projects include National Capital Thermal Power Project at Dadri, Indira Gandhi Super Thermal Power Project at Jhajjar, Mejia Thermal Power Station and Durgapur Steel Thermal Power Plant in West Bengal and Koderma Thermal Power Plant in Jharkhand.

All these projects are expected to be commissioned as scheduled, though there are minor delays of four-five months at the initial stages of construction activities in case of Durgapur and Koderma power projects, the paper said.

Meanwhile, the government also said that growth in power generation is falling short of the rate of growth in demand for electricity, due to inadequate capacity addition, non-availability of coal, gas and nuclear fuel.

Steps are being taken to improve the power supply position in the country, including augmentation of generating capacity, development of a number of ultra mega power projects of 4,000 Mw capacity each and taking up new hydro-power projects in Bhutan for import of hydro-power into India.

Commonwealth Games 2010 security to be reevaluated after attacks in Mumbai

The Commonwealth Games Federation is to reevaluate security planning for the 2010 games in New Delhi in the wake of the terrorist attacks in Mumbai that left more than 120 people dead.

Games chiefs met with security officials and state police in Delhi earlier this month to discuss security issues but a fresh assessment will be made following this week's events.

"We constantly monitor the security situation as part of our preparations and we will make sure that the arrangements are appropriate to the threat level that our advisors tell us is there," said CGF chief executive Michael Hooper.

"There is an ongoing security review but it is impossible to give cast-iron guarantees.

"Clearly the security assessment today will be very different from last week, but we will react accordingly. The security forces and administration in India is very good and we have an excellent relationship with them.

"The commitment is there and they realise it is an ongoing issue and that we need to be as vigilant as possible. We are all working towards the same aim of delivering a safe and secure games."

The CGF has recent experience dealing with terrorist threats. The Commonwealth Youth Games were held in Pune last month a matter of weeks after a series of bombs exploded in Delhi.

"We sent our security team out to Pune to meet with security officials and they made a number of changes based on the changing situation that satisfied our concerns and delivered a strong and effective security presence at the games," Hooper said.

"Unfortunately this is a fact of the world we live in. If you asked Beijing, London or any major host city they would tell you the same thing."

Will the Commonwealth Games 2010 leave New Delhi?

WITH HARDLY two years to go for the Commonwealth Games 2010, doubts have arisen as to whether the Games would move to some other location since the work is not progressing satisfactorily as per the Committee. The four-yearly Games featuring 71 teams from the Commonwealth countries are due to be held in the Indian capital of New Delhi from October 3 to 14, 2010.

The dispute is regarding the location of the games village. It is to be built on the banks of the river Yamuna, where the construction is likely to destroy the river bed, as claimed by environmentalists. Environmental groups protested and raised the issue with the high court and successfully got a probe setup by the Delhi High Court to investigate. Findings are still on-going.

If the problems regarding the construction of the games village are not resolved on immediate priority and with less than two years left for the games, there might not be enough time to relocate and build the facilities to house the 8,500 athletes and officials so late into the schedule. Even the new cycling velodrome construction is being delayed due to tender issues currently.

The committee headed by Austin Sealy, the chairman of the Commonwealth Games Federation co-ordination committee, will undertake another inspection of the venues in March and reassess the situation. However, the Indian Olympic Association president, Suresh Kalmadi is much more optimistic and has assured the media and the Commonwealth Games organising committee that the venues will be completed on time.

With elections in Delhi on the anvil, there might be apprehensions in the minds of the organising committee that in case there is a change of guard in the administration, many things might get bogged down in still more controversies. That has been our tradition – whenever a new setup comes to power, it tries to undo the deeds of the predecessors.

It might be recalled that India had held the prestigious Asian Games in 1982 and the capital got the Asiad village apart from a fleet of sleek buses nicknamed as Asiad buses which can even now be seen on selected routes. The administrators of 1982 were tough ones – it was the era of Indira Gandhi and the television switched over to the colour mode to transmit live the games into the living rooms. The Commonwealth Games is a matter of prestige for the country and already the metro rail is a gift that Delhites would appreciate on the occasion. But a lot more has to be done. Since the honour of the country is at stake, people should rise above petty party politics and join hands to clear all hurdles.

Most importantly, no one should create impediments just to promote his cause and gain media coverage.

More Hotel Rooms In Delhi by 2010 Commonwealth Games

The tourism ministry will form a panel to suggest measures to increase the availability of hotel rooms before the 2010 Commonwealth Games,which will be held here.

Based on the report of the panel, the ministry will come out with schemes. The government is expecting one-lakh visitors at the games.

"The whole focus is to create additional accommodation facilities and ensure that there is enough room for all. Besides, short supply has been driving up room rates, which we need to counter," a senior tourism ministry official said.

At present, there are only about 11,000 rooms in star-category hotels in the National Capital Region, against the ministry's estimate of 30,000 more rooms during the games.

The official said that going by the present trend, only 2,000 more rooms would be available.

The government has given a five-year tax holiday to two-, three- and four-star hotels and convention centres in Delhi, Faridabad, Gurgaon, Noida and Ghaziabad.

Besides, upgradation and renovation of existing hotel rooms will be done, the official said.

Attaching high priority to the safety of players and tourists, the government has decided to train 30,000 volunteers.

The ministry has also introduced a short training scheme to sensitise the youth.

The ministry has also requested the hotels to upgrade the infrastructure and be ready for the games, the official said, adding that the Haryana government is in the process of upgrading the tourism complexes run by its tourism department.

Indian delays could hand Australia Commonwealth Games

Australia could be on a new list to host the 2010 Commonwealth Games, after India was told it could miss out because of a dispute over the construction of the athletes' village.

The village being built on the banks of the Yamuna river has been embroiled in a legal tussle after environmental groups protested the construction would ruin the river bed.

With only two years to go, work on the site has not even begun, and the International Commonwealth Games organising committee has told India to urgently resolve the matter, or lose the Games.

The Delhi High Court has asked an environmental expert to probe if the village that is to house 8,500 athletes and officials should be built on the site.

Austin Sealy, the chairman of the Commonwealth Games Federation coordination committee, said after a routine inspection of the venues that he was concerned by the ongoing dispute.

"Any change, at this late stage, to the Games village arrangements would seriously jeopardise India's hosting of the Games," he said in a statement.

"The organising committee has been urged to have the matter resolved as a matter of urgency."

Mr Sealy said he was equally worried by the delay in starting work on a new velodrome.

"Less than two years is left for the Games, but construction work on the velodrome has not yet started," he said.

"It is a matter of concern for us. We have urged the organising committee to do everything in their power to start the work."

Indian Olympic Association president Suresh Kalmadi, who heads the Games organising committee, played down Mr Sealy's concerns and promised that all venues would be completed in time.

"Work is going on at the athletes' village because the High Court has not stopped the construction," Kalmadi said.

"The tender for the cycling velodrome will be issued next month and construction will start by December 15 and a world-class facility will be ready on time."

Delays in construction have already forced next year's world badminton championships to be shifted from New Delhi to the southern city of Hyderabad.

Mr Sealy's committee will undertake another inspection of the venues in March.

Is Delhi ready for Commonwealth Games?

The Olympic fever is over, for now. After Beijing, the action moves to London for the 2012 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. With images of Beijing fresh in everybody's mind, Times City decided to do a reality check on the competition and training venues for the 2010 Games in the city which will see as many as 8,000 athletes participating.

Overall responsibility of the Games rests with the Sports Authority of India (SAI). CPWD, the consultant appointed by SAI is workingagainst a December 2009 deadline to renovate Games venues.

Times City began its reality check with Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, venue of the opening and closing ceremonies. It will also host events like athletics, lawn bowling and weightlifting.

Just 20% of the required work has been completed in the main stadium. CPWD has removed the four giant lights that were a city landmark for decades to make way for a roof over the spectators' gallery as per international norms. The benches too are to be replaced by plush chairs to accommodate as many as 66,000 spectators. There will also be special centres for players, VIPs and media.

CEO Of The Commonwealth Games Federation Mike Hooper confident Games will go ahead in Delhi

The CEO of the Commonwealth Games Federation, the New Zealander Mike Hooper, remains optimistic that the 2010 games will go ahead as scheduled in Delhi in 2010.

An environmental report on the affects construction of the athletes village will have on the Yamuna River is now before the courts.

Hooper, who is in India, says although the courts are involved, construction actually hasn't been halted.

However he says with 2 years until the games take place in October 2010, any attempt to alter plans now would seriously jepordise the games.... and they have taken the issue up with the Indian government.....

Nearing deadline for Commonwealth Games, government agencies started to get required infrastructure

With nearing of the deadline for Commonwealth Games, government agencies too have started changing gears to get the required infrastructure in place. On one hand the emphasis is being laid on upgrading and re-surfacing main roads of the city, while on the other a lot of efforts are being made to ensure that the internal roads of Gurgaon remain problem free. The developmental agencies have been initiating several projects that are aimed towards having smooth ride in and out of the city.

Giving information about its initiative, Additional Chief Engineer of HUDA Amreek Singh said, "Works are going on in eight different roads of the city. By March 31, 2009, all the repair works will be finished." But, while the repair work is visible in old Gurgaon, new Gurgaon is yet to witness road repair work. When asked, HUDA administrator G Anupama said, "We are giving equal priority to the entire city. The repair time may vary, but there would be no compromise as far as funds are concerned. We will simply change the look of all city roads."

According to HUDA sources a tender of Rs 30 cores has already been invited recently for the repair works of internal colony roads of the various HUDA sectors that includes major intersections, dividing roads and the main roads that carry heavy traffic. The scheduled time period for completion of the work is three months from the dates of award with one year maintenance period from the date of completion. It was also informed that the tenders have also been invited for other roads as well.

While the announcement has come as pleasant news for the city residents, people in the city still have questions regarding completion of the project. Ashok Gupta, a resident of DLF-I couldn't resist from going away from apprehensions, "Although it is good news for the entire city, but I think it is just another cosmetic exercise on the part of HUDA to cover up its other failures."

Echoing a similar concerns, Kiran Kandpal, resident of New Palam Vihar said, "Equal importance should be given roads of the entire city. Besides, people should stay alert of the quality of material being used for the construction and repair purposes. The contractors should be held responsible for the maintenance even after one year period of time, as stated in the tender."

Residents of the the city also demanding that work for the Mehrauli-Gurgaon Road should be given priority, for which a tender of Rs 179 lakhs has been opened. "Even the storm water drainage system should be strengthened for successful completion of road repair works," added another resident. Demands also came up from the residents for face lifting of the roads by way of landscaping on their both sides and removal of encroachments.

"I don't think that only repair works will be enough to solve the crumbling road conditions. The root problems leading to sich conditions should also be taken care of before claiming a pat," added Ashok Gupta. Noteworthy here is the chief secretary's (of Haryana government) recent direction to the officers to complete works within the stipulated time frame. Whether the recommendation materialises or not, is for the time to see!

Over 10,000 Volunteers To Be Trained To Ensure Safety And Security During The Common Wealth Games 2010

To ensure safety and security during the Commonwealth Games 2010, the Center is finalising a blueprint to impart special training to more than 10,000 volunteers. The training will involve fire-fighting exercise, manning control

rooms, handling wireless equipment, frisking and rescue operation in the stadiums and the Games Village.

Besides supplementing the law and order machinery, these volunteers would also be trained to guide and usher in participants, officials and visitors at different venues and the Games Village. "We are preparing a training module taking every aspect of the forthcoming Games in mind as part of disaster management," a senior official of the Directorate General of Home Guards and Civil Defence said.

The training programme also involves imparting medical aid. The official said that though maintaining law and order will be Delhi Police's responsibility, these volunteers will be there to assist them. Besides safety and security, a behaviour-training programme for them is also being planned. "They would be trained to speak English and ways of dealing with participants and visitors during the Games. However, the behaviour training would be handled by a different agency," he said.

There will be a massive requirement of volunteers during the Games in various stadiums and the Games Village, according to the Organising Committee of the Commonwealth Games. The Home Guards and Civil Defence department has undertaken a massive exercise to revamp their infrastructure to meet the challenges during the biggest sporting event of the country in 2010. "We have introduced virtual classroom concept to train our volunteers at different places from the headquarters," the official said.

There will be requirement of trained manpower across the Capital in October 2010. "Since every stadium and parking lot will have a control room to monitor the situation as part of the security measure, trained volunteers will be required to assist security personnel at control rooms," said the official. According to an estimate, there would be about 3,000 vehicles pressed into service for athletes, officials and media. "Volunteers would also be trained as part of traffic management to handle these vehicles at premises and parking lots," said the official.

Rs.40 billion to be spent on 2010 Commonwealth Games work:Shiela Dikshit

A total of Rs.40 billion would be spent on works related to the 2010 Commonwealth Games by the Public Works Department (PWD), Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said here Tuesday.

`With the commissioning of 100 flyovers, 272-km Metro line and 10,000 low-floor buses in DTC (Delhi Transport Corporation) fleet before commencement of the Commonwealth Games, the scenario of public transport system in the capital would change,' said Dikshit.

Earlier, she laid the foundation stone of grade separators, a type of flyover, at Apsara Border in east Delhi and near Anand Vihar Inter-State Bus Terminus.

She also said that streetlights would be upgraded to international standards on roads maintained by the PWD.

`The capital would have streetlights of international standard and 450 km of PWD roads would be repaired well before Diwali,' she said.

The grade separator at Apsara Border would cost around Rs.2.26 billion whereas the other grade separator near Anand Vihar ISBT would cost around Rs.1.23 billion.

`The grade separators are being constructed to provide free flow of traffic and ensure relief to those commuters who are forced to face heavy traffic jams,' a Delhi government spokesperson said.

Dikshit said that a scheme has been prepared to upgrade the streetlights on the roads maintained by the PWD in Delhi.

`The scheme proposes streetlight illumination level of international standards at a cost of Rs.1.98 billion,' the spokesperson added.

Preparation for Commonwealth Games progressing as per schedule:President Suresh Kalmadi

Indian Olympic Association President Suresh Kalmadi on Thursday said that the preparations for the 2010 Commonwealth Games are progressing as per the schedule.

New Delhi, Sept 18 : Indian Olympic Association President Suresh Kalmadi on Thursday said that the preparations for the 2010 Commonwealth Games are progressing as per the schedule.

While addressing a press conference in New Delhi on Thursday, he said, "The necessary infrastructure needed for the New Delhi Games will be ready by 2009."

He further added that before the actual Games, trial events will be held to check the venues.

The 2010 Commonwealth Games are scheduled to be held in Delhi from October 3-14, 2010. This will be the largest multi-sport event conducted till date in Delhi and India generally, which has previously hosted the Asian Games in 1951 and 1982. The opening ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi.

This is the first time the Commonwealth Games will be held in India, which will be the third developing country to host the event (after Jamaica in 1966 and Malaysia in 1998). This is the second time the event has been held in Asia (after 1998).

Delhi multiplex targets Commonwealth Games

New Delhi Municipal Council has joined other government authorities to create additional infrastructure facilities for the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

NDMC is developing a state-of-the-art multiplex and shopping mall specially for the Games. The project, which NDMC claims has a unique theme and design, will be set up at Yashwant Place Community Centre in Chanakyapuri. The project will be implemented through public-private partnership on design-build-operate-transfer basis.

The multiplex and shopping mall will come up on the old Chanakya Cinema plot at Yashwant Place Community Centre. The site will be visible from the adjoining diplomatic enclave in Chanakyapuri.

"Work on the project will start three to four months from now and will be completed in one-and-a-half years," said Abhaya Agarwal, Senior Vice President (Projects), IL&FS Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. "The project will be different from other multiplexes. It will cost Rs 100 crore."

IL&FS-IDC Ltd has been appointed as advisor for structuring and selecting a suitable developer for the project. "We are involved in process management," Agarwal added.

The existing Chanakya Cinema plot, measuring about two acres, will be handed over to a real estate developer to construct the multiplex and shopping mall for a concession period of 30 years. The developer will have to demolish the existing building and cinema complex, and plan, finance, design, construct, operate and market the new complex. At the end of the licence period, all assets created by the developer will revert to the municipal council at no cost.
The council has invited Request for Qualification for this project. The last date for submitting the RfQ is January 14, 2008.

A large number of infrastructure projects are already under way in the National Capital Territory of Delhi . These include sports infrastructure such as games village, indoor stadiums, shooting range, swimming pool, tennis complex and training facilities as well as civic infrastructure like roads, bridges and flyovers, notably a link toad (tunnel) from the games village to Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, and bypasses at Mahipalpur and Masoodpur to connect the airport.

Source: http://www.projectsmonitor.com

17 disciplines planned for the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

17 disciplines planned for the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Aquatics
Archery
Athletics
Badminton
Boxing
Cycling
Gymnastics
Hockey
Lawn Bowls
Netball
Rugby 7s
Shooting
Squash
Table Tennis
Tennis
Weightlifting
Wrestling

The official calendar for the 2010 Commonwealth Games is as follows

85 nations planning to host teams at the Commonwealth Games 2010.

85 nations planning to host teams at the Commonwealth Games 2010.

Afghanistan *
Algeria*
Anguilla
Antigua and Barbuda
Australia
Bahamas
Bahrain*
Bhutan
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belize
Bermuda
Botswana
British Virgin Islands
Brunei
Cameroon
Canada
Cayman Islands
Christmas Island
Cook Islands
Cyprus
Dominica
England
Eritrea
Falkland Islands
Fiji
Gambia
Ghana
Gibraltar
Grenada
Guernsey
Guyana
India
Israel*
Isle of Man
Jamaica
Jersey
Kenya
Kiribati
Lesotho
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Madagascar
Malta
Mauritius
Montserrat
Mozambique
Namibia
Nauru
New Zealand
Nigeria
Niue
Norfolk Island
Northern Ireland
Palestine*
Pakistan
Papua New Guinea
Rodrigues*
Rwanda
Saint Helena
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
Scotland
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Solomon Islands
South Africa
Sri Lanka
Sudan*
Swaziland
Tanzania
Tokelau*
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Turks and Caicos Islands
Tuvalu
Uganda
Vanuatu
Wales
Yemen*
Zambia
NOte -:(*)These countries are yet to be accepted into the Commonwealth of Nations