PM4K NEWS 088: CWG DEALINE MISSED

 

Continuing with the PM4K NEWS Series on the Commonwealth Games Project here’s another update.

NEW DELHI: Meant to showcase India as a world class sporting venue, the Commonwealth Games could end up being an unforgettable embarrassment for the country given the shoddy build-up which has turned host city Delhi into a giant construction site. Tons and tons of rubble are piled on pavements as civic agencies race against time to finish the so-called beautification drive, while the Games' venues present an equally grim picture of unkept promises that were made when the hosting rights were won amid much fanfare in 2003.

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING.... 

 

[Mathew@PM4K]

HTTP://WWW.ANISHMATHAIMATHEW.BLOGSPOT.COM

Do join our growing online communities on Blogger, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn & NetworkedBlogs. Most importantly, please do come back for more.

PM4K NEWS 087: SECURITY IS FANTASTIC SAYS CWG CHIEF

Continuing with the PM4K NEWS Series on the Commonwealth Games Project here’s another update.

NEW DELHI: Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) chief executive Mike Hooper Friday said the successful staging of the Commonwealth Shooting Championships and the ongoing Hockey World Cup will help reduce security fears among some of the participating nations for the October 3-14 Games. “The chef-de-missions of all the 71 nations are arriving here next week and there will be presentations by the Delhi government, the Delhi Police about the security and other aspects,” Hooper told reporters on the sidelines of the Hockey World Cup here at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium while cheering for his national team - New Zealand. “I think the security has been fantastic. It’s almost impossible to breach this kind of security ring.

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING.... 

 

[Mathew@PM4K]

 

HTTP://WWW.ANISHMATHAIMATHEW.BLOGSPOT.COM

Do join our growing online communities on Blogger, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn & NetworkedBlogs. Most importantly, please do come back for more.

PM4K NEWS 086: CWG WILL BE BEST SAYS KALMADI

Continuing with the PM4K NEWS Series on the Commonwealth Games Project here’s another update.

NEW DELHI: The chairman of the Organising Committee of the Commonwealth Games, Suresh Kalmadi, has asserted it will be the best ever sporting event. Addressing media persons here on Thursday, Kalmadi said: "It will be the best Commonwealth Games ever. There is no doubt about it. Now, all the people, even our biggest critic, the Australian foreign minister, has gone back and said that it has got a potential better than Melbourne. So the people who are concerned are very satisfied. But we still have to improve." He also announced the collaboration between Commonwealth Games-2010 and Spic Macay, a non-governmental organisation for to reaching out to Indian youth to be a part of the mega event.

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING.... 

 

[Mathew@PM4K]

 

HTTP://WWW.ANISHMATHAIMATHEW.BLOGSPOT.COM

Do join our growing online communities on Blogger, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn & NetworkedBlogs. Most importantly, please do come back for more.

PM4K NEWS 085: INR 330 CRORE FOR CWG SECURITY

Continuing with the PM4K NEWS Series on the Commonwealth Games Project here’s another update.

NEW DELHI: In its effort to ensure foolproof security during Commonwealth Games, the Government has sanctioned Rs 330 crore for procurement of high-tech weapons and gadgets, including devices to counter possible nuclear and biological attacks. The fund has been allotted to purchase close circuit television cameras, different types of metal detectors, equipment for bomb disposal squads, devices to deal with chemical and biological attacks, armoured vehicles and various types of weapons. The Home Ministry has given highest priority to the security of the fortnight-long sporting extravaganza which is scheduled to be held between October 3 and 14 here. "All weapons and equipment will be procured and put in place well before the Commonwealth games begins. We will ensure that funds will not be a constraint in the overall security of the games," a Home Ministry official said.

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING.... 

 

[Mathew@PM4K]

 

HTTP://WWW.ANISHMATHAIMATHEW.BLOGSPOT.COM

Do join our growing online communities on Blogger, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn & NetworkedBlogs. Most importantly, please do come back for more.

PM4K NEWS 084: 2 OTHER RUNWAYS NEEDED AHEAD OF CWG

Continuing with the PM4K NEWS Series on the Commonwealth Games Project here’s another update.

NEW DELHI: The Centre today informed the Delhi High Court that as the Commonwealth Games is approaching repair in runway no 28 at Delhi International Airport, needed to be completed before commencement of the event and two other runways are to be utilised for landing and take off of flights. Local residents and patients and doctors in hospitals have complained about noise pollution caused by movement of flights in the two other runways. The Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) told the Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Madan B Lokur and Justice Mukta Gupta that the repair work would take at least four months to be completed and the work is yet to start. He said measures have been taken to mitigate the problem and sound barriers placed to reduce noise pollution caused by movement of flights.

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING.... 

 

[Mathew@PM4K]

 

HTTP://WWW.ANISHMATHAIMATHEW.BLOGSPOT.COM

Do join our growing online communities on Blogger, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn & NetworkedBlogs. Most importantly, please do come back for more.

PM4K NEWS 083: CWG 214 DAYS AWAY, HQ YET TO GET FIRE CLEARANCE

Continuing with the PM4K NEWS Series on the Commonwealth Games Project here’s another update.

NEW DELHI: After colour, it’s controversy over fire clearance that is dogging the New Delhi City Centre-II near Jantar Mantar, housing the Commonwealth Games organising committee. While the pink and purple wrap adorning the building’s façade had the Delhi Urban Art Commission and the building architect fuming a few months ago, Fire department officials now claim the building is yet to receive a clearance certificate from the Chief Fire Officer. The building was occupied almost eight months ago. A No Objection Certificate, or clearance certificate, by the Fire department is given to all buildings after construction. The building can get an occupancy certificate — a document obtained from the municipal body — only after it receives the clearance, which the Fire department says the organising committee headquarters is yet to receive. Chief Fire Officer G C Mishra said the delay in issuing clearance arose since construction work on the outer structure and the interiors were being carried simultaneously. “There was a rush to shift to the new building, so the authorities carried out work on the interiors at the same time,” Mishra said. “Clearance is usually sought soon after the main construction work is over.”

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING.... 

 

[Mathew@PM4K]

 

HTTP://WWW.ANISHMATHAIMATHEW.BLOGSPOT.COM

Do join our growing online communities on Blogger, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn & NetworkedBlogs. Most importantly, please do come back for more.

PM4K NEWS 082: AUSTRALIAN MINISTER TOURS NEW DELHI CWG VENUES

Continuing with the PM4K NEWS Series on the Commonwealth Games Project here’s another update.

NEW DELHI: Australia's Foreign Minister says he's confident New Delhi's preparations for this year's Commonwealth Games are on track. Stephen Smith has toured the Games facilities while on a trip to India. There have been big questions regarding New Delhi's ability to be ready in time for October's Commonwealth Games, but the city's preparations have been given the tick of approval by Australia's Foreign Minister Stephen Smith. "Very pleased to see the inspection of the main stadium and pleased to be advised that the facility will be ready on time," he said. Stephen Smith will also use his three day visit to receive a briefing about security for the Commonwealth Games.

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING.... 

 

[Mathew@PM4K]

 

HTTP://WWW.ANISHMATHAIMATHEW.BLOGSPOT.COM

Do join our growing online communities on Blogger, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn & NetworkedBlogs. Most importantly, please do come back for more.

PM4K NEWS 081: ONLY 4 OF 8 CP SUBWAYS TO MEET OCTOBER CWG TARGET

Continuing with the PM4K NEWS Series on the Commonwealth Games Project here’s another update.

NEW DELHI: One of the biggest projects for the Commonwealth Games is to turn the city pedestrian friendly. The plan includes constructing eight subways at Connaught Place. With the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) yet to get permission from the Delhi Traffic Police for two subways, it seems unlikely the whole project will meet the deadline. At present, work is on at four subways; they are expected to be ready on time. Sources in the NDMC said the Delhi Traffic Police have given permission for work on two other subways, but the civic agency is awaiting nod for the last two. Considering that each phase of subway construction takes nearly 240 days, completing the rest before the Games in October seems unlikely.

“Our aim now is to complete the four subways on which work has started. We will think about the rest when we get permission. We want to complete as many subways as possible,” a senior NDMC official said.

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING.... 

 

[Mathew@PM4K]

 

HTTP://WWW.ANISHMATHAIMATHEW.BLOGSPOT.COM

Do join our growing online communities on Blogger, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn & NetworkedBlogs. Most importantly, please do come back for more.

PM4K NEWS 080: CWG GETS LION’S SHARE IN SPORTS BUDGET

Continuing with the PM4K NEWS Series on the Commonwealth Games Project here’s another update.

NEW DELHI: The October Commonwealth Games got the lion's share in the union budget allocation for sports in 2010-11, though the overall outlay is down to Rs.3,565 crore from last year's Rs 3,706 crore. The Commonwealth Games (CWG) Oct 3-14 have been allocated Rs 2,069 crore, earmarking Rs.378 crore for the preparation of teams. Welcoming the budget proposals of 2010-11, Union Youth Affairs and Sports Minister M S Gill said: "I am very happy that the finance minister consistently supported sports and the CWG. I am fully funded."
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) are allocated Rs 1,175.54 crore while Rs 30 crore go for the equipments and furnishings of stadia.

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING.... 

 

[Mathew@PM4K]

 

HTTP://WWW.ANISHMATHAIMATHEW.BLOGSPOT.COM

Do join our growing online communities on Blogger, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn & NetworkedBlogs. Most importantly, please do come back for more.

PM4K NEWS 079: CWG's BOXING VENUE READY

Continuing with the PM4K NEWS Series on the Commonwealth Games Project here’s another update.

NEW DELHI: Talkatora Stadium complex will be an environmentalist’s delight. Constructed with recycled building material, fly ash and heat reflective glass, the dome-shaped stadium is a perfect green zone. On Wednesday, chief minister Shiela Dikshit inaugurated the sporting complex. Describing the stadium as a unique piece of modern-day architecture, Dikshit said it was built with environment-friendly materials. The complex encloses the stadium and a facility block. The stadium has been connected to the block through a tunnel which will be used by athletes during the Games.

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING.... 

 

[Mathew@PM4K]

 

HTTP://WWW.ANISHMATHAIMATHEW.BLOGSPOT.COM

Do join our growing online communities on Blogger, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn & NetworkedBlogs. Most importantly, please do come back for more.

PM4K NEWS 078: SUCCESSFULL CWG WILL PROJECT NEW DELHI AS SPORTING DESTINATION

Continuing with the PM4K NEWS Series on the Commonwealth Games Project here’s another update.

NEW DELHI: With Commonwealth Games just a few months away, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit On Wednesday said successful hosting of the event will help the city project itself as a global destination for such sporting extravaganza.
Dikshit, who faced criticism for the city's tardy preparation for the Games, said all efforts are on to make it a "memorable event" so that Delhi could hope to host bigger sporting events in the future. Indian Olympic Association chief Suresh Kalmadi, who is also chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Commonwealth Games, had said India could bid for the 2020 Olympics.

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING.... 

 

[Mathew@PM4K]

 

HTTP://WWW.ANISHMATHAIMATHEW.BLOGSPOT.COM

Do join our growing online communities on Blogger, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn & NetworkedBlogs. Most importantly, please do come back for more.

PM4K NEWS 077: CWG PROJECTS UNDER CVC SCANNER

Continuing with the PM4K NEWS Series on the Commonwealth Games Project here’s another update.

NEW DELHI: The Central Vigilance Commission is examining all construction works related to Commonwealth Games following complaints alleging large scale corruption in purchases. Official sources said the Commission has asked all its vigilance officials posted with agencies concerned to "double check" the procedures involved in the procurement and other aspects of the projects. The decision comes following complaints alleging discrepancies in the work being undertaken by the civic agencies like Municipal Corporation of Delhi, New Delhi Municipal Corporation, Delhi Development Authority and Central Public Works Development among others. The complainants have alleged since many projects were running beyond their schedule there were chances of corruption while completing these projects on time. "We have received some complaints regarding alleged corruption in Commonwealth Games projects.

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING.... 

 

[Mathew@PM4K]

 

HTTP://WWW.ANISHMATHAIMATHEW.BLOGSPOT.COM

Do join our growing online communities on Blogger, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn & NetworkedBlogs. Most importantly, please do come back for more.

PM4K NEWS 076: WIPRO, HCL OFFER LOWEST BIDS FOR UNIQUE ID PROJECT

Continuing with the PM4K NEWS Series on the Unique ID Project here’s another update.

NEW DELHI: The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has reportedly issued request for quotation (RFQ) for its first application development services contract. The authority is likely to issue two more RFQs by next month. The UID project headed by the former Infosys co-chairman Nandan Nilekani received bids from 42 vendors. While Wipro and HCL are reported to be the lowest bidders; Infosys, CapGemini, Polaris and IBM are among the highest bidders. The bids received ranged between Rs 500 crore to Rs 725 crore.
Interestingly, Wipro Consulting Service (WCS), the consulting arm of Wipro Technologies, has claimed to a tech website that it was asked to prepare the UID report and it recommended to establish a separate division as UIDAI.

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING.... 

[Mathew@PM4K]

 

HTTP://WWW.ANISHMATHAIMATHEW.BLOGSPOT.COM

Do join our growing online communities on Blogger, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn & NetworkedBlogs. Most importantly, please do come back for more.

PM4K NEWS 075: 8 MONTHS TO GO, OC FLOATS FRESH CATERING TENDERS

Continuing with the PM4K NEWS Series on the Commonwealth Games Project here’s another update.

NEW DELHI: With only eight months to go for the Commonwealth Games, the organizing committee is finally looking beyond venues and consistently missed deadlines. It has now floated a tender to look for caterers for not only the Games Village but also for the various venues, including Jawaharlal Nehru stadium. And if the initial response is anything to go by, the OC may finally be getting something right. Lalit Bhanot, spokesperson for the OC, said, "Earlier last year, the OC had chosen a caterer for the Games Village. However, it was felt that with only one quotation coming in, it wasn't the best decision to choose that firm. Instead, we preferred to float fresh tenders."

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING.... 

 

[Mathew@PM4K]

 

HTTP://WWW.ANISHMATHAIMATHEW.BLOGSPOT.COM

Do join our growing online communities on Blogger, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn & NetworkedBlogs. Most importantly, please do come back for more.

PM4K NEWS 074: MINTO BRIDGE PROJECT TO MISS CWG DEADLINE

Continuing with the PM4K NEWS Series on the Commonwealth Games Project here’s another update.

NEW DELHI: The plan for widening the historic Minto Bridge is the latest entry in the list of infrastructure projects that have de-linked from the Commonwealth Games. Officials of the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and Northern Railways PRO Anand Swaroop said the decision to de-link the project from the Games was taken “unanimously” by all agencies involved. With this, the Northern Railways’ plan to add two more tracks to the bridge and widen the structure will now miss the Games deadline. The plan for widening the historic Minto Bridge is the latest entry in the list of infrastructure projects that have de-linked from the Commonwealth Games. 

Officials of the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and Northern Railways PRO Anand Swaroop said the decision to de-link the project from the Games was taken “unanimously” by all agencies involved. With this, the Northern Railways’ plan to add two more tracks to the bridge and widen the structure will now miss the Games deadline.

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING.... 

 

[Mathew@PM4K]

 

HTTP://WWW.ANISHMATHAIMATHEW.BLOGSPOT.COM

Do join our growing online communities on Blogger, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn & NetworkedBlogs. Most importantly, please do come back for more.

PM4K NEWS 073: UNIQUE ID TO AUTHENTICATE IDENTITIES ACROSS MULTIPLE SERVICES

Continuing with the PM4K NEWS Series on the Unique ID Project here’s another update.

While the Indian government spends an increasing amount of money towards public welfare, the actual benefits of such schemes seldom reach the intended population. Consider the popular National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA). With fund allocation close to Rs 39,000 crore, NREGA has been affected by leakage of funds due to fake attendance. As more public welfare schemes are launched by the government,  India needs a way to identify individuals who are genuinely poor and deserve benefits.In this context, the Unique Identification project—where every Indian will be given a unique number—is of supreme importance.

To make sure that the system is foolproof, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) will capture three key biometric characteristics of citizens. This includes the face, ten finger prints and iris scans of both eyes.

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING.... 

[Mathew@PM4K]

 

HTTP://WWW.ANISHMATHAIMATHEW.BLOGSPOT.COM

Do join our growing online communities on Blogger, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn & NetworkedBlogs. Most importantly, please do come back for more.

PM4K NEWS 072: 70% ROOMS REQUIRED FOR CWG ARE READY

Continuing with the PM4K NEWS Series on the Commonwealth Games Project here’s another update.

NEW DELHI: A review of hotel projects coming up for the Commonwealth Games in the national capital has indicated that 7,307 rooms have been completed, which is 70% of the overall target of 10,540 ‘definite’ rooms. This was revealed after the 27th meeting of the task force set up to monitor augmentation of hotel accommodation in the national capital region (NCR) of Delhi.

"The performance of hotel projects of Haryana is commendable as 85% of the 6,766 ‘definite’ rooms have been completed and efforts are being made to complete the balance as early as possible," the tourism ministry said.

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING.... 

 

[Mathew@PM4K]

 

HTTP://WWW.ANISHMATHAIMATHEW.BLOGSPOT.COM

Do join our growing online communities on Blogger, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn & NetworkedBlogs. Most importantly, please do come back for more.

PM4K NEWS 071: UNIQUE ID’s 1ST ENROLMENT BY AUG 2010

Continuing with the PM4K NEWS Series on the Unique ID Project here’s another update.

The Unique ID (UID) project, the world’s largest biometric project that aims to provide every Indian citizen with a unique identification number, has hit the ground running. On Thursday, former Infosys executive Nandan Nilekani, who was appointed to head the ambitious projects, met chiefs of the IT/BPO industry. “The UID model will help the government implement better public expenditure,” Nilekani said, but cautioned India needed to develop its hardware base for implementation of the project. The first enrolment of the unique ID may take place between August 2010 and February 2011, Nilekani said.

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING.... 

[Mathew@PM4K]

 

HTTP://WWW.ANISHMATHAIMATHEW.BLOGSPOT.COM

Do join our growing online communities on Blogger, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn & NetworkedBlogs. Most importantly, please do come back for more.

PM4K NEWS 070: BARCELONA OFFERS TO HELP DELHI FOR 2010 CWG

Continuing with the PM4K NEWS Series on the Commonwealth Games Project here’s another update.

NEW DELHI: The city of Barcelona, which has hosted a successful Olympic Games, offered its cooperation and expertise in beautifying Delhi before the Commonwealth Games starting on October 3. A Spanish delegation, led by Ambassador Ion de la Riva and including director of international relations of Barcelona City Council and a former director of the department of urban planning called on Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit at her office. “The city of Barcelona has offered to sign a friendship agreement with Delhi.

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING.... 

 

[Mathew@PM4K]

 

HTTP://WWW.ANISHMATHAIMATHEW.BLOGSPOT.COM

Do join our growing online communities on Blogger, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn & NetworkedBlogs. Most importantly, please do come back for more.

PM4K NEWS 069: DELHI METRO TO TAKE SHARPEST TURN IN GURGAON

Continuing with the PM4K NEWS Series on the Delhi Metro Project here’s another update on Delhi’s Metro Project.

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Metro's much awaited extension into neighbouring Gurgaon will have the track's sharpest turn. Construction of this stretch of the track has taken metro engineers twice as long to complete, officials said Sunday. "The sharpest broad gauge curve of the Delhi Metro has been constructed on its elevated section in Gurgaon near the IFFCO Chowk with a radius of 282.05 metres," a Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) spokesperson said. The curve located between pier number 125 to 137 enroute to Gurgaon from Delhi's M G Road, has a radius much lesser in comparison to other curves on the Metro's elevated track that generally measure more than 300 metres, the official explained.

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING.... 

 

[Mathew@PM4K]

 

HTTP://WWW.ANISHMATHAIMATHEW.BLOGSPOT.COM

Do join our growing online communities on Blogger, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn & NetworkedBlogs. Most importantly, please do come back for more.