Click to play videoNew Delhi: A parliamentary committee report says that India is not prepared to host the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
The 2010 Commonwealth Games are just 18 months away but if the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Tourism is to be believed, Delhi is not ready for the mega event.
In it's report submitted on Tuesday, the Committee, headed by Communist Party of India-Marxist leader Sitaram Yechury said that in "January 2006, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) had promised work on 39 sites that would provide approximately 6,019 rooms.
"But the pace of work indicates that only 1924 rooms would be available till 2010,' the report said.
The Committee was doubtful whether the DDA can expedite allotment of sites for new hotels. The report also pointed out that Delhi fared miserably in terms of infrastructure, transport, airport arrangements, security and power supply all of which are inadequate.
it also said that there was no co-ordination between the agencies involved including the Urban Development Ministry, NDMC, DDA, PWD and MCD.
"We are not seeing the possibilities of using the Commonwealth Games as a catalyst for development of tourist arrivals as well as utilise that for general overall economic activities in the country," said Yechury, Chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee
The Tourism Ministry seems to agree with the report and has reasons to complain.
Till November 2008, the Ministry received no proposal from the Delhi government on their plans for the Games.
"Two year back we were promised 30,000 rooms in Delhi," said Tourism Minister Ambika Soni.
But the Delhi government is confident of conducting the games on time.
"It will be prepared. You will have good Games and they will come out well," claimed Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.
Only time will tell if the government is in denial or it actually has a plan in place.
But till then, with the tourist inflow at an all time low, it's the Tourism Ministry that has reasons to worry.
(With inputs from Sumit Pande)
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