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Commonwealth Games 2010: Delhi's death trap
Published on Thu, Oct 18, 2007 at 10:29, Updated on Fri, Oct 19, 2007 at 12:23 in India section
Tags: Commonwealth Games, Yamuna River Bed , New Delhi
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New Delhi: The Commonwealth Games 2010 are the biggest sports events to ever be held in the country. But the CNN-IBN special investigation team finds that the nation's pride could turn into an ecological embarrassment.
The 118 acre Commonwealth Games village is under construction on the floodplains of the Yamuna, in spite of warnings that the construction will endanger lives.
Activist, Yamuna Jiye Abhiyan, Manoj Mishra says, "Any construction, especially a multi-storey construction on the riverbed is an invitation to disaster. It is like a deathtrap."
The Yamuna has a history of flooding. It’s the floodplain that acts as a buffer and prevents flooding in populated areas. Construction there would also mean a reduction in groundwater levels, worsening Delhi's drinking water crisis.
Ecologist, MC Mehta informs, "The groundwater situation in Delhi is so critical that some of the blocks in Delhi have been declared as critical areas or dark spots. Saline water has also started coming in because there is no sweet water, so where is the water?"
Adding to that is the fact the Yamuna flood-plains also sit on a seismically active area. Manoj Mishra tells us, “There is a seismic map of Delhi. It's the river bed that sits on the fault line."
Experts say that suggestions for alternative sites such as the unused Safdarjung aerodrome or the already-standing Jasola Sports Complex have been ignored by the Delhi Government.
Hydrology expert, IIT Delhi, Prof AK Gosain says, "There are a lot of possible sites in and around Delhi. I don't think that the concerned authorities have really looked at any of those alternative proposals and sites. On the contrary, they have suggested that the most dangerous one on the floodplains of the Yamuna."
But Sheila Dixit rejects all criticism. She says, “Show me another city in the world, which has not developed its riverbanks. Development has to take place.”
The Commonwealth Games Federation now seems wary of Delhi Government's assurances.
CEO, Commonwealth Games Federation, Mike Hooper remarked, "We can only rely on the assurances that we are given. If those assurances subsequently proved to be inaccurate, they would be of concern."
Despite no approvals for constructing a games village on the site and with all the experts clearly pointing to how dangerous the construction can be, the government insists on continuing the construction work.
Read the first part of the ongoing investigation.
Documentary Proof
a) Usha Mehra Committee report asking for removal of encroachments
b) Letter to the Vice Chairman, DDA asking them to honour HC judgement
c) HC observation on Yamuna being lifeline of Delhi and prohibiting encroachment
d) Letter obtained from Central Ground Water Authority under the RTI Act
e) Letter obtained from CGWA under RTI enumerating the missing approvals
f) Front page of NEERI report commissioned by DDA
g) Continuation of NEERI report commissioned by DDA
h) Continuation of NEERI report commissioned by DDA
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Selection of the site itself was a great mistake on the part of the Govt.Instead of correcting the mistake going
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These commonwealth games are going to be an international embarrasment for the whole country...No one is bothered about the games
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Looks like another scam is brewing !!
Politicians are not heeding to reason.. Shiela Dixit is getting into self-justification mode. Why
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Well if the building falls and many are killed we can always generate employment by setting an no good inquiry
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Can these politicians ever use their mind and think for the benefit of the country? They r just interested in
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