No free rides for volunteers

A Commonwealth Games volunteer was forced off a low-floor air conditioned bus after he tried using his accredition card to avoid buying a bus ticket.

A Commonwealth Games volunteer was forced off a low-floor air conditioned bus after he tried using his accredition card to avoid buying a bus ticket. The volunteer was dressed in his Games attire and claimed his card was valid till October 18. Police intervention was needed to get the volunteer off the bus in Southwest Delhi. Post-Games, many volunteers were seen walking idle in their official attire near the OC office at Jai Singh Road. HTC

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Lane challan adalat on 24th

The Commonwealth Games lane restriction has been reduced from a sizeable 105 to 20 km. In effect, not even a single commuter unlucky enough to have strayed onto the blue lane was challaned on Friday. The only route on which the blue lane is currently effective is from the Games Village to the IGI Airport owing to the departure of athletes. “We intend to continue with this till Saturday,” said Satyendra Garg, JCP (traffic) said. Delhiites challaned for violating the lane rule can collect their driver’s licences from their Lok Adalats at respective courts on October 24. HTC

Sheila lauds team effort

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said on Friday that the Games were successful only because of “collective efforts” of all stakeholders. She said Delhi was now fully prepared to host bigger events like the Olympics. The Delhi government had come under severe criticism because of delay in the completion of several infrastructure projects, including the Games Village. The incessant rains didn’t help the government’s cause either. Dikshit said her biggest challenge was to maintain the new stadiums, flyovers and elevated roads. HTC

Metro gets Games boost

Delhi Metro emerged as the preferred mode of transport on the closing day ceremony of the Games. According to Delhi Metro officials, more than 70 per cent spectators who attended the glittering ceremony at JLN Stadium reached the venue by the Metro. DMRC officials said almost 45,000 people used the Metro. HTC

MCD seeks Compensation

Amid all jubilation over the success of the Games, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is feeling “left out.” After OC Chairperson Suresh Kalmadi mistakenly thanked former Mayor Kanwar Sain instead of current Mayor Prithvi Raj Sawhney at the closing ceremony, the MCD has decided to write a protest letter to the Delhi government and has decided to seek additional funds to compensate more than 25,000 MCD staffers who worked overtime during the Games. HTC