DELHI WILL be hosting the Commonwealth Games in four years and all that the Capital has are a plot of land by the Yamuna and a slew of plans. To emulate the success of Melbourne, the Delhi government wants a special Act to speed up the construction of facilities and regulate agencies that execute projects for the Games.
Government sources say the idea struck the delegation of officials that went to Melbourne to sift through files and study how the Australian city hosted the Games. The success of the 2006 Games - the smooth arrangement and time-bound completion of projects - was largely due to the Commonwealth Games Arrangements Act passed by the state of Victoria.
"As there are multiple authorities in Delhi, there could be delay in getting permission for various projects," says a top official. "This can be eliminated through an Act that overrides the existing provisions."
The Delhi government has forwarded to proposal to the Home Ministry. Since the legislation will deal with land, environment clearance and punishment for offences, it has to be passed by Parliament.
The Victoria Act covered many things - fine for consuming alcohol in the Games arena and protesting at the venue to what to do with the facilities after the Games. In Delhi, even as babudom mulls a similar legislation, time is running out -- the flyovers and five-star hotels are not ready and Delhi University's playgrounds have not been turned to world-class turfs to hold rugby7s.
{{/usCountry}}The Victoria Act covered many things - fine for consuming alcohol in the Games arena and protesting at the venue to what to do with the facilities after the Games. In Delhi, even as babudom mulls a similar legislation, time is running out -- the flyovers and five-star hotels are not ready and Delhi University's playgrounds have not been turned to world-class turfs to hold rugby7s.
{{/usCountry}}"Only four years remain and a lot of work is at hand," says an official. "The Act will help in establishing that Delhi means business." The promise of Delhi dhamaal notwithstanding, Games-watchers think Melbourne will be a tough act to follow.