Drive carefully, Delhi roads are sinking under you

As Delhi goes on a construction overdrive for the Commonwealth Games, building new roads and flyovers, the existing ones are already giving in.

Last week, four roads across the city caved in within three days, leaving 10 to four feet deep craters.

On May 29, 40 passengers travelling on a low-floor DTC bus escaped narrowly when the bus sank into a 10-foot crater on a road in Geeta Colony. The same day, another road in Rajouri Garden caved in, leaving behind a five feet deep hole.

On May 31 and June 1, two more roads — in Hardev Nagar and the Moolchand-BRT stretch — caved in.

Experts have warned if proper procedures are not followed, such incidents will just multiply in the coming months.

These roads are hollow beneath because they have been built over water and sewerage pipes, experts said. When pipes start leaking, the concrete and bitumen filling (layers of the road) are washed away, leaving massive holes in the road.

"Before a road is constructed, water pipes are supposed to be shifted underneath a footpath or on the side of the proposed road," said Dipak Mukhopadhyay, former MCD engineer-in-chief.

"Even after it is shifted, it has to be ensured encasing (concrete covering of the pipeline) is carried out so there is no contact between the pipeline and the road. In all recent cases, this procedure was not followed."

The Geeta Colony road, for instance, was laid over a water pipeline and due to constant leakages the road developed a 10-foot deep crater.

The MCD refused to take blame for the mess.

"There is  water line of the Delhi Jal Board under the road and due to frequent leakages the soil became loose and give way," said Deep Mathur, director press and information, MCD.

"It's DJB's job to keep a check on such leakages."

DJB officials did not comment on the issue.

No money in Asian Games, so BCCI is not interested: Kalmadi

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President Suresh Kalmadi today slammed the BCCI for not sending teams to the Asian Games in China, saying the Cricket Board is not interested because the multi-sport event offers no money.
"It has become commercial...cricket has become very commercial. (In Olympic and Asian Games) There are only medals, no money. So, I don't think anybody from cricket world will be interested in taking part," Kalmadi told reporters here.

He was reacting to BCCI's decision not to send cricket teams -- both men's and women's -- to the Asian Games to be held in the Chinese city of Guangzhou between November 12 and 27.

BCCI cited international commitments to stay away from the Games where cricket is making its debut in Twenty20 format.

Kalmadi said he was never keen on cricket being part of Olympic sports because "then Olympic sports get hurt".

"They (BCCI) had done it in Malaysia Commonwealth Games also. They sent a second string team there. So I was never keen and I did not put cricket into Commonwealth Games. I knew they won't make it, they will back out at the last minute.

They said they would come to Asian Games, but they backed out.

I knew this," he said.

Kalmadi was referring to the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur where India sent a second-string squad, while most of the frontline cricketers played against Pakistan in Canada.

CWG: LG chairs meeting on planning for opening & closing ceremonies

Delhi Lieutenant Governor Tejender Khanna today chaired the second high level meeting of Inter agency core group on Micro planning for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Commonwealth Games at Raj Niwas. Detailed transport and traffic/circulation planning for all spectators, special visitors, VIPs, athletes, media, performing artists, etc., their entry and exit and parking of vehicles was discussed at length and streamlined after due discussion and deliberation by all the stakeholders present. The meeting was attended by the Chairman of the Organizing committee, Suresh Kalmadi (MP), The Delhi Chief Secretary, Spl. CPs, Delhi, officials of the Organizing Committee, DTC, CPWD and other agencies concerned with the Commonwealth Games.

Presentations on 'Transportation sub-plans for the opening day' and 'Lane reservations for Commonwealth games traffic' from October 3-14, 2010 was prepared by Mr R Narayanswamy in consultation with Delhi Police, Organizing Committee and all the stakeholders such as MCD, PWD, NHAI and the NDMC. The issue of Lane reservations for the accredited vehicles during the Commonwealth Games was also finalized and accordingly approval for the painting of the reserved lanes (accredited lanes) was given by the Lt Governor.

Delhi Lt.Governor finalises Games traffic plan

Delhi Lt. Governor Tejendra Khanna Thursday held a meeting with officials from the Delhi government, police and the Commonwealth Games organising committee to finalise traffic and transport plans for the mega-event.

The discussions focused on plans for transportation, entry and exit of visitors, athletes, media, performing artists besides parking of vehicles during the Games scheduled October 3-14.

A presentation was also made on ‘Transportation sub-plans for the opening day’ and ‘Lane reservations for Commonwealth Games traffic’, prepared by the event’s special advisor R. Narayanswamy.

“The issue of lane reservation on roads for accredited vehicles during the Games was finalised and accordingly approval for the painting of the reserved lane was given by the lt. governor,” a Raj Bhavan official said.

The meeting was attended among others by organising committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi and Delhi Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta.

IGT (Prince Dance Group) champs to perform at the Commonwealth Games

You can’t help but think of the Prince Dance Group If there ever was one rags-to-riches story to be told. 26 labourers from Orissa, who barely had clothing to cover their body, walked in all draped in paint and earned all of Rs. 5 million along with the India’s Got Talent crown by showcasing their unique talent which proved to be a visual treat. They’ve been going places since then and have performed in front of eminent signatories both in and outside the country.

It cannot get any bigger for these men who’ve now been given the honour of performing at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games 2010 to be held at Delhi. India is hosting a sporting event of such magnitude for the very first time.

“We are very happy to announce that the Prince Dance Group that won the season one of ‘India’s Got Talent’ has been selected to perform at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Delhi,” Ashwini Yardi, programming head of Colors channel, told the reporters at a press conference of India’s Got Talent 2.

Hailing from the small town of Berhampur in Orissa, the group comprises of 26 young artistes, (all them are below 22), led by Krishna Mohan Reddy. We were looking to hear from these men, but perhaps they were busy taking off all that paint after another stupendous performance. Nevertheless, it’s three cheers for the colorful men of Orissa.

To watch the Performance of  Prince Dance Group visit http://moviesdekho.blogspot.com/2009/08/prince-dance-group-wins-indias-got.html

Visitors will carry back good image of Delhi: PWD Minister

Delhi Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Raj Kumar Chouhan today expressed confidence that the visitors during the Commonwealth Games will carry back a good impression about the city.

''Delhi is getting ready to showcase its world-class infrastructure during Commonwealth Games. We are sure that the visitors will take back a good image of the city known as a city of fly-overs,'' he said.

While inspecting the Ghazipur intersection underpass, to be opened for commuters from tomorrow, Mr Chouhan stated that all Games-related projects will be completed within stipulated time as constant monitoring was being done to accelerate the pace of work. The underpass is expected to provide uninterrupted connectivity from Anand Vihar ISBT to Kalyanpuri and vice versa. A three-lane Ghazipur crossing grade separator at NH24 would also be completed by the end of this month, the minister said. Citing the number of development projects to come up before the games, Mr Chouhan averred that mega-sports event has provided an excellent opportunity to undertake a large number of developmental works with speed, quality and excellence.

''We have received this opportunity after 1982 when we hosted Asiad games,'' he said.