CWG nearing, MCD work near stadia yet to speed up

With the capital set to host the Commonwealth Games in just a few months, the MCD has completed only an average six per cent of work of strengthening and streetscaping of roads leading to key venues and stadia.

The status report of Games-related projects also show that just about 15 per cent work has been done so far in upgrading areas around hotels and guest houses in Paharganj area.

However, MCD officials as well as Delhi Mayor Kanwar Sain voiced confidence that all projects will be completed by June this year. The civic body has also set up a committee to monitor the pace of work on a regular basis.

The corporation is carrying out improvement, streetscaping and strengthening of four roads around the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the main Games venue. Officials said 5.5 per cent work has been completed in Bhishma Pitamah Marg, Lodhi Road (Nizamuddin roundabout-India Habitat Centre stretch), connecting road from 5th Avenue to JLN Stadium and the Mehar Chand Market-Kushak Nallah stretch of 5th Avenue.

In improvement of Shooting Range Road and Suraj Kund Road near Karni Singh Shooting Range, 5.5 per cent work has been done. Work progress is six per cent in two roads adjoining Thyagraj Stadium and two roads near R K Khanna Tennis Stadium.

The MCD was also to construct a foot overbridge near JLN Stadium for which work is yet to start.

In improvement and strengthening of roads near Chhatrasal Stadium and university area, work is on progress in construction of drainage and footpaths but most of the other components of the project are yet to be taken up.

The civic agency is also carrying out redevelopment of areas near hotels and guest houses in Karol Bagh, Paharganj and City Zone, which includes underground ducting of cables, improving public utilities, central verges and footpaths as well as beautification.

Officials said in seven major roads in Paharganj on an average 15 per cent work has been completed while among 56 internal roads and lanes, work is yet to start in 19.

In another Rs 1.58 crore project related to improving and repairing existing urinals, work is yet to take off. Work has been completed in only one urinal in Qutub Road and is yet to start in 43 other sites, they said.

The MCD is, however, confident of completing all projects by June. “We have set up a committee comprising leader of the house, leader of opposition, chairman of standing committee and senior officials to monitor the pace of projects, which is sitting at least once a month,” Mayor Sain said.