Areas around Games venues to get face-lift

New Delhi, Oct 3 (PTI) A two-km radius area of all Commonwealth Games venues is set for a face-lift with the government deciding to install touch-screens, information kiosks and phone booths for the tourists visiting the national capital for the prestigious event in 2010.

"Since lakhs of foreign as well domestic tourists will
be coming the city to watch the sports event, the area around
the venues, 12 in total, will be aesthetically developed and
beautified for their convenience.

"Touch-screens, information kiosks, food stalls and
public conveniences such as phone booths, help desks and
benches to rest will come up in the area," a senior official
told PTI.

Besides this, rainwater harvesting and planting of trees
will also be done, along with putting up benches and energy
saving street-lights.

He said agencies such as Municipal Corporation of Delhi
(M.C.D.), New Delhi Municipal Council (N.D.M.C.)and Delhi
Development Authority (D.D.A.) will be responsible to develop
the roads around the stadia.

"While the N.D.M.C. has already appointed two consultants
and floated a tender for its two venues — Sardar Patel Marg
Swimming Complex and Talkatora Stadium — P.W.D. has selected
consultants for Yamuna Sports Stadium and I.G. Stadium," the
official said.

The P.W.D. will be selecting consultants for the
remaining eight venues as well.

Once the consultants are appointed and submit the
blueprint, the firms will be selected on the basis of tenders
to execute the work on the B.O.T. (Built Operate and Transfer)
basis, the official said.