Commonwealth Games Delhi India 2010 Commonwealth Games India

New Delhi: Yet another Commonwealth Games 2010 project has hit a bureaucratic roadblock. The environment department of Delhi government is yet to give the green signal to MCD to widen the road leading to Karni Singh shooting range. And while the project has been stuck for over six months, the government is now thinking of making the road one-way, at least for the duration of the Games.

While the civic agency claims that the road is too narrow and needs to be widened to ease traffic problems — especially since it is in the border area — the environment department has refused permission as widening the road would require cutting of over 400 trees. Besides, the area is part of the southern ridge and therefore widening will not be possible.

Said standing committee chairman Vijender Gupta: ‘‘I inspected the site two weeks ago and noticed traffic jams as the road is narrow. Since the road leads to a Games venue, widening is necessary. Moreover, the road is near the border and witnesses heavy traffic volume daily.’’ Around Rs 1.5 crore is being spent on strengthening and improving the road.
Added Gupta: ‘‘If we are spending money, we should try resolving the problem long-term। The problem of traffic congestion will remain after the Games if the road is not widened, once it becomes two-way again. We are supposed to meet chief secretary Rakesh Mehta on this issue.’’ The road extending from MB Road to Haryana border was dense carpeted last in 2000 and is in a very bad condition.

source >> The Times of India