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).