New cycle route to cut through CP

It's final. The route for one of the popular events at the Commonwealth Games 2010 the mass cycle road race has been finally approved by the government. The new route, which will now start from in front of the Free Church on Sansad Marg, will no longer encircle the swimming complex in Talkatora stadium, as was planned earlier.

Objections about overlapping of the race with a swimming event and the route's intrusion into the dedicated lane for Games athletes and delegates had forced the OC to look for an alternative.

OC spokesperson Lalit Bhanot said: "The new route doesn't have any obstacles and will be relatively straight. We are expecting largescale participation in this event. The new route will now go through Connaught Place, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, Central Vista and back to Sansad Marg. It will basically turn the public roads into a race track for the Delhi Games 2010.''

According to OC officials, work on the new route is scheduled to enter fast lane. Bhanot admitted that the route would see massive overlay work, which includes setting up of temporary structures like the VIP and media lounge, athlete area and doping centre. According to officials, the infrastructure work will take a couple of months to finish. Added Bhanot, "The route will be used for the 20km race, road race as well as the marathon.''

Sources in the OC say the present route was approved as it is near the OC headquarters, making overlay preparations easier. "The OC headquarters will be the nerve centre of the road race,'' added the source.

The earlier route was planned around Talkatora stadium, and included a stretch that was narrow and would not have been able to handle spectators and competitors simultaneously, the traffic department had claimed.

The day-long event includes a 165-km race for men and a 100-km race for women. Participants from 71 countries are scheduled to take part, with each country allowed to field 27 athletes in the event.