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COMMONWEALTH GAMES 2010
News Archives»
Commonwealth Games 2010 Venue Watch: Waiting
for a new beginning
May 21, 2007
The
2010 Games Village plan not only includes a residential complex
equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, but also has a commercial
zone with space for hotels and shopping malls.
Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium
The Sports Authority of India (SAI) officials admit that the Nehru
Stadium, which will be hosting the opening and closing ceremonies
of the 2010 Commonwealth Games, needs maximum renovation. Yet, work
on this will start only by the end of 2007, says B. K. Sinha, Secretary,
SAI.
The works include partial covering of a part of the stadium. The
spectator gallery will also be moved in closer to the action. That
apart, a new athletics tracks will be laid. Also, separate accommodation
and technical rooms will be built. The warm-up area behind the stadium
also needs to be upgraded to accommodate a special arena for throwing
events. The decision about where the lawn bowling events will be
held is still pending.
Karni Singh Range
All Eyes will be on the premier shooting range. With only three
years left, a decision on whether to have a new range or to renovate
the old one is yet to be taken. "It's still under discussion," said
SAI's chief stadia administrator Sanjay saraswat. "The EKS has submitted
its report and we are having meetings with the CPWD," he said, and
added that this is the only venue left where there is some ambiguity.
The National Rifle Association of India officials are unhappy with
the way the issue is being handled. "We had submitted a feasibility
report for new ranges (50m and 10m) inside the Karni Singh Complex.
There is plenty of room for expansion," says Rajiv Bhatia, assistant
secretary, NRAI.
Talkatora Stadium
There are grand plans for the renovation of the Talkatora Aquatic
Centre but even the CPWD officials present at the site don't know
where work will begin. "Everything is tentative for now," says a
CPWD official. "The plan and designs are ready and construction
is likely to being sometime in August. We have to hand over the
stadium (to SAI) on December 31, 2009." The complex will have a
dome and special air-conditioning plants will be commissioned to
reduce humidity. There are plans to expand the radius of the arena
by 10 metres to accommodate the columns that will hold the dome.
IG Stadium
The Indira Gandhi Stadium will host four events - cycling, archery,
wrestling and gymnastics.
In recent past, the stadium has been in the news for various reasons.
There have been leakages, problems with an obsolete air-conditioning
system and the accommodation near the velodrome being unsafe. However,
there are plans for big changes. There will be a new timber track
for cycling even though there have been reservations about its longevity.
A new indoor hall will be built while electronic video-matrix scoreboards
with replay facilities will be put up.
Delhi University
The University will host the rugby sevens event. Plans are still
in the pipeline stage and discussions are taking place regarding
the actual infrastructure and work that will go into building the
stadium. The Games Organising Committee has said the university
will also have 12 training venues spread over seven colleges. "The
details of the venue and the infrastructure have not been finalized
yet but the vice-chancellor of the university will be holding a
meeting soon with the CPWD," DU Director of Sports, J. S. Naruka
said.
Thyagaraj Complex
Situated near the safdarjung airport, this football ground will
see a new multi-purpose air-conditioned indoor hall come up for
netball. Another warm-up hall will be constructed to accommodate
two more courts. Besides, there will also be an administrative block
for the IOA and the CWG organizing committee. The stadium will also
be connected to the nearby Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium via a new flyover.
However, despite so many facilities needed, the venue itself is
far from ready to even begin construction.
National Stadium
Hockey will be held at the Dhyan Chand National Stadium. Several
changes are being planned for upgradation. Installation of floodlights
at the stadium is already under way while both the artificial turfs
will be re-laid. In addition, a third turf will be laid at the present
grass grounds. But the major changes will be in the actual structure
of the stadium itself. While the main playing area will be shifted
about 20 feet, bringing it closer to the stands, the seating area
at the far end will also be moved forward. It will raise the capacity
to about 25,000. The work is likely to begin in August.
Source: Hindustan Times
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