1,700 fans, 1 tender, 0 bidders

Though it's cool outside these days thanks to the incessant rains, the men in uniform who will be on duty protecting the city during the Commonwealth Games are having sleepless, sweaty nights. The reason can be summed up in two words: Pedestal Fans. In its preparation for the Games, Delhi Police
has acquired Doorframe Metal Detectors and has a lot of sniffer dogs, the rest is yet to come or is still in the tendering process.

In such a situation, Delhi Police has a gargantuan task on its hands—that of providing the thousands of central reserve forces coming to the city with a good night's sleep and some respite at their respective positions. With just 41 days left for the Games, the task seems almost impossible.

On August 19, Delhi Police floated the tender for pedestal fans once again. The technical bid is to be opened on August 31. But so far, no one's bid for it.

The Delhi Police has to hire nearly 1,700 pedestal fans. But due to the order's size, they are having problems getting bidders. "We have to hire 1,700 pedestal fans till October 20 for the reserve forces. The fans will be kept at the camps where the troops will stay and at other CWG sites," said a senior police officer requesting anonymity.

The Delhi Police had floated a tender earlier, too, but couldn't find bidders who could handle such an order. "We are yet to go through the bids. The order will be given only when they match the specifications. The order is big and that is why it is taking time. But we are sure we will manage before the Games," added the officer.

The Delhi Police has a long list of requirements and criteria, which is also causing the delay. "Each firm which comes to us will have to submit a sample of the pedestal fans with the tender for inspection. The firm will have to bear the cost of damage that may occur due to storm, fire, rain, natural calamities or any other unforeseen circumstance. No hiring charges shall be paid for the period for which the pedestal fans are not used," added the officer.