A brand new Delhi Zoo by the Commonwealth Games

“The idea is to give the visitors a modern experience”

One of the oldest zoological gardens in the country, Delhi Zoo will undergo a makeover as part of the Commonwealth Games initiative. If all goes as planned, two AC food courts, a souvenir shop, new sign boards and an ATM facility would be added to the zoo.

“After Delhi Zoo officials approached us stating the need for a major refurbishment in preparation for the upcoming Games, the Ministry wrote to the Games Committee about the proposal. If approved this would be one of the biggest modernisation exercise that the zoo will undergo,” said a senior Environment Ministry official.

“The Delhi Zoo has been asked to come up with a modernisation plan. Tourists are expected to throng the city during the Games and we are looking at putting up improved signage, modernisation of cloak room, setting up of an ATM facility and a souvenir shop. Visitors who are expected to come to the zoo can also enjoy refreshments at the two air-conditioned food courts inside the zoo which is part of the proposal. We are also looking at providing improved parking facilities and more guides,” said Delhi Zoo director Anand Krishna.

Delhi Zoo is spread over 780 acres and houses several species of animals and birds. “We are expecting a large number of visitors to be spending at least a day here. The idea is to give them a modern, educational-day-tour kind of an experience. The improvements in the enclosures, however, are an internal matter and would be done in a manner that benefits the inmates the most and look aesthetic. The aim is to finish all the work by September so that we are well prepared for visitors,” said the official.

Rising room supply likely to keep hotel rates flat this fiscal

Hotel room rates are expected to remain flat at last year's levels during 2010-11, despite some moderate increases planned by industry players for the October season, coinciding with Commonwealth Games. One of the reasons for this is the new room supply to be added during the next one year, which will keep occupancy and room rates for the industry under pressure.

According to a Crisil report, the industry closed 2009-10 at an estimated average room rate (ARR) of Rs 9,255 (pan-India), with an occupancy rate at 63.9% during the period. Room supply is expected to grow at a compounded average gross rate (CAGR) of 10% during 2009-10 and 2011-12, resulting in the addition of over 7,000 rooms.

Among all cities, Bangalore was the worst impacted with a drop of 33% in ARRs during 2009-10 to an estimated Rs 8,231 from Rs 12,227 last year. The city is mainly driven by business travel and, of late, has been seen as overrated. This year, Bangalore is expected to see some recovery in rates on the back of improved business environment. Crisil forecasts an ARR of Rs 8,378 for Bangalore for 2010-11.

Industry players are expecting a rise of just around 10% in room rates for the peak season and feel the current summer season will be a tough one for the industry.

“The summer season will be a difficult one for the industry due to the additional supply that comes in, that too, this being the first summer season after the financial crisis," said Trident Hotels president Rattan Keswani.

He added that sentiments in the market are strong and October season is expected to bring back the confidence into the market.

"Though it would not be as strong as in 2006-07, it will be good enough," he said. Hotel Leelaventure senior vice-president Rajiv Kaul adds: "The fourth quarter of 2009-10 has ended on a high note and we expect rates to be at sustainable levels."

He added that there will be a 10-15% revision in rates by hoteliers in October, the peak season.

Typically, the hotel industry revises rates every October, but last year, many players had shied away from revising peak season rates as occupancies were at low levels.

For the first three months of 2010, foreign arrivals have seen strong growth with January showing 17% growth, February 10% and March 13%. This is over a drop of 17% in January 2009, 10% in February'09 and 8% in March'09. Ministry of tourism secretary Sujit Banerjee has said that the forex earning has grown by 15% during January-March.

Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium: Crowning Glory

International consultants from six countries, Rs 500 crore, 443 tonnes of pre-stretched cable equalling to 2,200 km and a membrane roof (partial) of 54,000 sqm (the largest in Asia) — the much-delayed Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium is a lesson in dreaming big.

Originally built in 1982, the JN Stadium has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. Incessant delays have meant the stadium, which is the venue for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Commonwealth Games 2010, will be the last to reach the finishing line, in June 2010. Yet, as the pieces of the stadium come together, it's hard not to be impressed by the end result. Especially the Rs 100-crore cable roof, which promises to make JN Stadium one of the most innovative in India.

BK Chugh, director general (works) of the Central Public Work Department (CPWD), which was hired by the government for the project, says, "Our brief was simple: Upgrade the JN Stadium to international standards."

A senior official adds, "The biggest challenge was to provide a roof to the open stadium, without disturbing the existing structure. In fact, this roof had to be built without any perpendicular support from the inside of the stadium." And so started an extensive makeover which lasted over two years and untold number of manhours, not to mention an escalating budget.

The cable roof has been built with new support extending up to 71 metres into the stands. It's the largest membrane roof in Asia. Made of coated glass fibre, the roof membrane is tough and low maintenance, supported by a cable network that spans 2,200 km, the distance between Delhi and Bangalore. The steel structure alone, which surrounds the stadium in the form of 'V' frames going upto 23 metres in height and X frames upto 43 metres, is made of more than 8,500 tonnes of steel.

"It's a complicated structure, which required expertise from outside as well, especially as we don't have the technology in India," says Chugh.

To help CPWD, consultants from Germany, Switzerland, UK, US, Mexico and Australia were hired, though the actual steel was sourced indigenously.

The rest of the roof structure, however, has been sourced from the US (the membrane), Switzerland (jacks), Germany (cables), UK (roof consultancy) and others while quality assurance and construction guidance was provided by a German firm.

"The roof rests on a network of cables, which in turn rest on the V and X steel frames around the stadium. To ensure that accessibility is easy, 14 approach ramps have been placed along the steel frames, which will not only provide an evacuation time of less than six minutes but also provide access to the PA and lighting system," says Chugh. The roof membrane, which will be levelled as a single surface, will highlight multi-coloured lights to be used during the opening and closing ceremonies.

Built at a cost of Rs 100 crore, the design of the roof is unique to India, say CPWD officials.

"Conceptualisation and planning was the most time-consuming part of the renovation. The actual construction of the roof took us only four months," says Chugh. With a deadline of June 30 for the roof, CPWD officials claim the stadium will be ready by June. Well in time to dazzle athletes, tourists and Delhiites for the coming Games.

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

Indian business delegation to visit Canada during Queen's Baton Relay

A high-powered business delegation from India will visit Canada between April 12-16 coinciding with the Queen's Baton Relay.

The delegation, consisting of members of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Organising Committee Commonwealth Games, aims to strengthen trade ties between Canada and India by exploring new business and economic opportunities.

Tarlochan Singh, Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Media Committee, Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi will represent the Organising Committee during the Queen's Baton Relay in Toronto and Ottawa as well as during all the business meetings.

The high-powered business delegation from India will hold series of meetings with Canadian business leaders from the Canada-India Business Council, Canadian Council of Chief Executives (CCCE), etc. as well as the meeting with various government departments like Federal Department of Foreign Affairs and Industry, Canada, Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, Ontario.

The itinerary also includes a day-long seminar on 'Re-organize for Resilience' in Ottawa. All these meetings will be organized in the backdrop of the Queen's Baton celebrations in the country.

The Queen's Baton 2010 Delhi is visiting Toronto and Ottawa in Canada between April 13 - 16 and a gala reception is expected from the Canadians. On its journey across the Commonwealth nations, the baton has visited 48 nations so far.

Delhi Commonwealth Games head to visit Australia

The chairman of the Organising Committee for the New Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games, Suresh Kalmadi, will be in Australia next week, in a visit that will coincide with the arrival of the Queen's baton relay, the Australian Commonwealth Games Association said on Monday.

Kalmadi will travel to Sydney, Melbourne and the Gold Coast, where he will attend a number of the organised functions and activities associated with the baton's arrival, the ACGA said.

The Queen's baton, on its 190,000-kilometre (120,000-mile) journey around the world, will make its first stop in Sydney on April 19, before travelling to Melbourne, the host of the 2006 Commonwealth Games, the following day.

On April 21, the baton will go to Brisbane and the Gold Coast, the Queensland city which recently submitted its official bid to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

A series of events and activities featuring dignitaries, athletes, school children and members of the Indian community will be held during the time the baton is in Australia, the ACGA said.

"Suresh has a big task and it is an honour that he has taken time out to join us for the Australian leg of the Queen's Baton Relay," AGCA chief executive Perry Crosswhite said.

The New Delhi Games, from October 3-14, will comprise 19 sports, making it the largest Commonwealth Games to date.

The ACGA said it anticipated sending its largest-ever team to compete in an overseas Commonwealth Games, with more than 425 athletes and 175 officials expected to be selected.