New Delhi: Stung by the Commonwealth
Games Federation dubbing the Athletes Village as "filthy and
uninhabitable", the government on Tuesday announced a series of
measures to address the concerns and remove the deficiencies
relating to cleanliness and maintenance at the complex.
A high-level meeting attended by Delhi Lt Governor
Tejindra Khanna, Union Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrasekhar,
Principal Secretary to Prime Minister T K A Nair and Delhi
Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta reviewed the facilities at the
Games Village and decided to increase manpower for cleaning,
housekeeping and maintenance.
The status of preparedness at the Commonwealth Games
Village was reviewed and shortcomings pointed out by CGF
President Michael Fennell was discussed and addressed to,
said an official.
Fennell has asked the government to take immediate
steps to fix the condition of Games Village`s residential
zone, which according to him, has "shocked" many contingents.
In a statement, Fennell said he had written to the
Cabinet Secretary and requested him to take urgent steps
before the first batch of athletes arrive on Thursday.
CGF Chief Executive Mike Hooper also echoed similar
sentiments and termed the Athletes village as "filthy and
uninhabitable". He, however, hoped that with Fennell`s
intervention, the mess would be sorted out in the next two
days.
A Command and Control Centre, comprising Special
Officers appointed by Central Government, Venue Administrator,
Venue Security Commander, representatives of the Organising
Committee and the Developer of the Village will coordinate all
activities relating to operations and maintenance, the
meeting decided.
The meeting, attended by top officials of several
other central and city government departments, also decided to
increase number of professionals to ensure proper upkeep of
the Village where nearly 8,000 athletes from 71 countries are
expected to put up.
During the past few days, certain deficiencies in the
residential zone of the Village particularly pertaining to
cleanliness and minor rectifications had been pointed out by
some delegates of participating countries which had been
promptly attended to, a statement issued after the meeting
said.
Fennell shot off a letter to Chandrasekhar, asking him
to take immediate steps to fix the deficiencies in residential
zone of the Village, which he said has "shocked" advance
parties from New Zealand, Canada, Scotland and Ireland because
of its unhygienic condition.
"The final preparations for the Games Village have
been of concern to the CGF since viewing the residential zone
along with a number of Commonwealth Games Associations advance
parties on September 15," Fennel said in a strongly-worded
statement.As per the decision, Chief Engineer (Electrical), of
the Delhi Development Authority, assisted by representatives
the city government and power discom BSES will be in full
charge of ensuring uninterrupted supply of power in the
village comprising residential and international zone.
It has also been decided to deploy more manpower and
resources to ensure proper cleaning and maintenance of the
apartments in the towers.
It was also decided to appoint one officer from DANICS
(Delhi Andaman and Nicobar Island Civil Service) in each of 34
towers to ensure coordination and ensure proper maintenance
and cleaning.
The meeting also decided that any additional manpower
and other resources, as required, will be provided on top
priority by the city government, Delhi Development Authority
and MCD.
The requirement of such manpower and resources will be
assessed and conveyed by the Command and Control Centre.
The developer will immediately ensure that all
maintenance and repair work, as may be required in each tower,
will be carried out promptly and on a 24x7 basis.
In view of heavy rains, any requirement to drain out
water in the area will be promptly carried out by the
developer with assistance from MCD.
Khanna, Chandrasekhar and other top officers who
attended the meeting, expressed full confidence that with the
measures announced, the deficiencies which have been noticed
will be fully and promptly addressed to the satisfaction of
the guests.
PTI