CWG: Construction cost of stadia jumped by R1,110 cr

The cost of construction of five Commonwealth Games venues by Central Public Works Department CPWD) escalated by over R1,110 crore than the original sanctioned amount.

The cost of construction of five Commonwealth Games venues by Central Public Works Department (CPWD) escalated by over R1,110 crore than the original sanctioned amount.

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Besides, over R20 crore were spent on installing closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in three other stadiums, developed by the public works department, in the national Capital.

The CPWD had renovated the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Complex, Indira Gandhi Stadium Complex, Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Swimming Pool Complex, Major Dhyanchand National Stadium and Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range for the CWG held here between October 3 and 14, 2010.

A total of R42 crore was spent on taking consultancy services. “A consolidated sum of R1,000 crore (plus or minus 10%) was sanctioned for these stadiums initially. No stadium-wise cost was approved. Later, revised sanction for R2,460 crore was accorded by Cabinet,” the CPWD said in an Right to Information (RTI) reply.

The money allocation was proposed by the Games Organising Committee, Sports Authority of India and ministry of youths affairs and sports, it said in reply to the RTI filed by Vivek Garg. Interestingly, an amount of R345.12 still remains un-utilised by the construction agency.

About 11 venues were renovated by different civic and construction agencies like CPWD, PWD, Municipal Corporation of Delhi and Delhi Development Authority for the mega-sporting event.

Besides, the DDA has developed Commonwealth Games Village in over 63.5 hectares area that includes residential complexes, huge practice and recreational area near Akshardham temple in east Delhi. The Central Vigilance Commission, apex anti-corruption body, is inquiring into financial and administrative irregularities in several Games-related projects.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has also registered three FIRs in connection with alleged irregularities in the Games, and questioned OC secretary general Lalit Bhanot, among others. It has also asked OC chief Suresh Kalmadi to appear before it for questioning.