75% rooms for Commonwealth Games completed

Racing against time in its preparation for Commonwealth Games, the Task Force on Monday indicated that 8,227 of the 10,981 rooms or 75% of the rooms were completed even as concern was expressed that compliance certificates for hotels should not be delayed.

According to sources, DDA has already submitted a proposal to the Lieutenant Governor for "temporary certificates'' for the duration of the Games to cut down on the time taken for getting a completion certificate. Hotels and guest houses will, however, have to get fire clearances before they can get the temporary go-ahead to begin operation.

Tourism minister Kumari Selja stressed the need to ensure timely completion of rooms by DDA, Haryana and other land owning agencies. The minister has also asked land owning agencies to take up upgradation and beautification of the surrounding areas and approach roads to the new hotel projects which are coming up.

"At the same time, it is also the prime responsibility of all land owning agencies to grant completion certificate on priority so that hotels which are becoming operational can commence their business as soon as possible, as this will facilitate in obtaining the necessary statutory licences by the hotels,'' the minister said.

The minister also reviewed the upgradation of DDA flats located at Vasant Kunj and Jasola and stressed the need for DDA to adhere to deadlines. ITDC is expected to complete furnishing the flats by August.

As part of its promotional activities, the Games Travel Office set up by the Organising Committee is expected to incorporate information related to accommodation and travel on its website so that the tourists are able to book hotel rooms, guest house accommodation, bed & breakfast units along with the travel related tourism packages on an early basis.

* Beautification and upgradation of areas around Karol Bagh and Paharganj guesthouses by June 30

* Hotels to be operational by July 31

* DDA flats to be completed by August 31