1.7 million likely to watch the Games

The Commonwealth Games Organising Committee estimates 1.7 million spectators to throng the stadiums for the 12-day mega-event from October 3 to 14. And to ensure a smooth Games viewing experience for the spectators, 195 paid staff and over 2,000 volunteers will be deployed at the venues.

Volunteers will guide the spectators past ticketing gates and security checkpoints to the seating arena. Explaining why this could be an arduous task for spectators, the Organising Committee's Spectator Services head G.G. Dwivedi cited the example of Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium which has 21 entry gates but only three gates -- 3, 9 and 14 -- dedicated to spectators.

“It could be a challenge for spectators to find the right stadium, event and entry gate at some sports complexes. Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium alone will have 44 paid staff and 700 volunteers,” Mr. Dwivedi said.

A spectator plaza will also be set up to hold an information booth and refreshment and merchandise stalls. No food or water bottles will be allowed inside the stadium. The list of items not allowed is on the back page of the ticket.

Lane restrictions from September 20

The lane restrictions for Commonwealth Games-related traffic will come into effect in the Capital from September 20. The traffic police will conduct a three-day trial run on certain stretches beginning Wednesday to familiarise road users with the arrangements.

Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Satyendra Garg on Tuesday said once the notification for exclusive lane came into operation, violation would attract a fine of Rs.2,000 and the violating vehicle would be impounded.

“People are advised to avoid the exclusive lane during the trials and familiarise themselves with the pattern of traffic movement during the Games. There will be enough signages indicating commencement of the dedicated stretches,” said Mr. Garg, adding that adequate number of traffic personnel would be deployed on the stretches during the trial run between noon and 2 p.m.

On Monday, the trial would be conducted on the lane from Commonwealth Games Village, National Highway-24, Road No.56 and Road No.58A up to Yamuna Sports Complex; Lodhi Road Madrassa to Lodhi Road flyover; Bhishm Pitamah Marg from T-point Lodhi Road and August Kranti Marg to Siri Fort Sports Complex; Ring Road from T-point Bhairon Road to Raj Ghat; and from Chandgi Ram Akhara to Maal Road on Ring Road.

Similar exercise would be undertaken on Thursday from Nizamuddin bridge, Ring Road and Captain Gaur Marg to Kalkaji Mandir; and from Sardar Patel Marg to Mother Teresa Crescent.

Mr. Garg said the trial run on Friday would be on the Road No.56 and Road No.58A to Yamuna Sports Complex; Kalkaji Mandir, Maa Anandmai Marg, Lal Kuan and other roads.

Despite cash crunch, unlimited budget' for festivals

Notwithstanding the municipal commissioner's proposal suggesting cuts in budget works with civic treasury facing cash crunch, Pune mayor Mohansingh Rajpal on Tuesday said that PMC had unlimited budget' for cultural festivals and events like the Queen's Baton Relay for the Commonwealth Games (CWG).

The Queen's Baton Relay for the CWG will reach Pune on September 9 and the PMC has decided a grand welcome.

"The PMC has organised various cultural festivals and events to welcome the baton relay. Various sponsors have come forward to support us. There is no question of budget. We have unlimited budget for such events," said mayor Mohansingh Rajpal, speaking to reporters on Tuesday.

The Baton relay will arrive at Bharati Vidyapeeth at 3.30 pm on Thursday, and will travel from Swargate, Sarasbag, Vishrambagwada, Laxmi road, Alka talkies, Agriculture college, Pune University, Baner phata to Balewadi.

"The PMC appeals to citizens to participate in the event," said the mayor. A Congress leaders in the PMC claimed that MP Suresh Kalmadi will also be present on the occasion.

Meanwhile, the PMC standing committee on Tuesday approved Rs 25 lakh to celebrate cultural events for Shaniwar wada festival' during annual Ganesh festival starting this week end.

"The PMC will organise events in all parts of the city, so that citizens can enjoy the festival," said standing committee chairman Arvind Shinde, who added that the provision of Rs 25 lakh was made in the annual budget.

As per the BPMC Act, the state government had issued directions to municipal bodies that institutions should not be given donations exceeding Rs 3 lakh and the total annual civic donation amount should not exceed Rs 30 lakh.

However, the PMC had shelled out the massive amounts of Rs 51 lakh for the 83rd Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan and Rs 30 lakh to celebrate Baisakhi. Meanwhile, only 60 per cent of budgetary works for 2009-10 have been completed due to a cash crunch.

Commonwealth chaos: Village flooded, Army called in

Just a week left for an international team to fly in for a final inspection and the Commonwealth Games Village still looks like an island in the Yamuna. Unable to drain the rainwater that has collected, which is breeding mosquitoes, a desperate Delhi government has decided to call in the
army.

Delhi health minister Kiran Walia confirmed the army has been approached. A formal communication to the General Officer Commanding, Northern Command, will be sent soon.

"We approached the army because they are far better equipped to manage flood-like situations. Incessant rains have flooded most parts of the Village... The river has also been flowing above the danger mark. We have inspected the area with army officials,” Walia said.

The government had relied on the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to pump out the water but the only step the agency seems to have taken is to fine the Village several times for mosquito-breeding.

Walia has directed the Department of Irrigation and Flood Control to clean the Shakarpur drain, within a 2-km radius of the Village, as it is completely clogged and is stopping the rainwater from flowing out.

With dengue looming, Australia and Malaysia have issued advisories while 25 participating countries have written to the Organising Committee for information on measures taken.

Security agencies to take over CWG venues today

Delhi Police is likely to take over all Commonwealth Games venues on Tuesday and start plugging security loopholes, if any, to ensure an incident-free event which high on terror radar. Though there is no specific threat to Games but a general one, security establishment is leaving no stones unturned for the mega event which would showcase country's ability to hold such events.

Delhi Police, which is the nodal agency for Games security, will conduct various drills, including anti-sabotage checks once they take over possession of the venues, a senior police official said.

Apart from around 80,000 Delhi Police personnel, over 17,500 paramilitary personnel, 3,000 commandos and 100 anti-sabotage check teams will be deployed across the city. The Army has been asked to be alert.

Once security personnel take over the venues, the entire venue will be completely sanitised by security personnel and are sealed after a thorough check.

Concerns were earlier raised about the delay in handing over venues to security agencies as some quarters felt that it would hamper the security preparations.

Delhi Police Commissioner YS Dadwal, however, downplayed the delay and said the force was prepared to handle the security issues related to the sporting extravaganza.

"We know the stadia and surrounding areas. We know the city very well. So securing them or other areas will not be a problem," Dadwal had told PTI when asked whether the delay in completion of Games projects was compromising security preparedness.

Union Home Minister P Chidambaram will review the arrangements on September 15, once the security overlays are put in place.

Heli-borne snipers, four-layered security cordon around Commonwealth Games venues and exclusive lanes for Games vehicles were among the components of the mammoth security plan for the event.

The security plan prepared for the mega event, which will see participation of around 8,500 athletes from 71 countries competing in 17 events, also envisages snipers on rooftops, commando hit teams and expert groups to tackle any chemical, biological, radio-active or nuclear attacks.

Air Force will provide surveillance from the skies. Heli-borne assault teams will also be deployed to thwart any terror strikes.

"We are closely working with central intelligence agencies. The Air Force will be surveying the airspace. We will have heli-borne snipers patrolling the skies," a senior police official said.

According to the plan, the venues, Games Village, practise and parking lots and Indira Gandhi International Airport where athletes arrive will have a four-layered security cordon

Delhi will be most happening place during Games: Dikshit

Seeking to allay apprehensions regarding the Commonwealth Games, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit Monday asserted that the event beginning Oct 3 "will be held" and urged people to take part in the cultural festivities taking place in the capital during the period.Launching the calender for the 'Delhi Celebrates' events, Dikshit said Delhi will be the most happening place for the next two months with hundreds of artists and performers descending onthe capital for taking part in the festivities till Nov 4. The Games themselves will be held Oct 3-14.

"The Commonwealth Games are here and it will be held," she told the gathering.

The chief minister said everyone had come together with enthusiasm, putting together a huge programme that will cater to tastes of all.

Underlining that the festivities will be held across the capital, she urged people to spread the message and enjoy themselves.

A host of programmes on art, culture, cinema, heritage and cuisines will be  eld in the capital till Nov 4 in which participants from across the country will throng the capital.

A number of special programmes have been planned for athletes and visitors during the Games.

Speaking at the event, Culture Secretary Jawahar Sarcar stated that the concept of 'Delhi Celebrates' has been woven into a noble matrix.

Given that bringing together 15 different cultural organisations under one roof was a herculean  task, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asked the culture ministry to work under Dikshit's leadership.

Sarcar also emphasised on organising such cultural festivals in the capital annually.

Students participating in C'Wealth Games function served stale food

Students from eight schools in Ghaziabad, participating in the opening ceremony of the upcoming Commonwealth Games, were served stale food during a practice session in the national capital.

"I was pained to know about the complaint that children were served poor quality food," principal DDPS Govindpuram, Richa Sood said.

Sood informed officials of the Commonwealth Games about the incident and asked them to improve the quality of food, warning the officials of not sending the children for the preparation otherwise.

Children from Sun valley school, Vaisahlli;Indus valley public school, Vasundhra; Swami Vivekanand Saraswati school, Rajender Nagar; DAV public school, Brij Vihar and DLF school Rajendre Nagar, among others are scheduled to present yoga and aerobics during the opening ceremony of the event.