Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state:-

(a) the status of preparation of the Commonwealth games infrastructure;

(b) whether the progress is satisfactory; and

(c) the status of the preparation of the various sports teams/participants for the same?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF PANCHAYATI RAJ, YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS AND DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION
(SHRI MANI SHANKAR AIYAR)

(a) The locations for all the major competition and training venues, Games Village and the major non-competition venue viz. International Broadcasting Centre (IBC)/Main Press Centre (MPC), have been agreed to between all the stakeholders. All the stakeholders have indicated their specific time lines with reference to key milestones, viz., finalization of detailed design and estimates, commencement of tendering process, award of work, commencement of work, completion of work and handing over to Organising Committee Commonwealth Games, 2010 (OC). It is expected that work on all the major sports venue infrastructure projects will commence between June-August, 2007 and the venues will be handed over to the OC by the end of 2009.

Besides, the implementing agencies/stakeholders concerned are in the process of seeking clearances from various agencies for the Commonwealth Games, 2010 related projects. This is an on-going process and any objections/clarifications raised are being suitably addressed by the implementing agencies/stakeholder concerned For expediting the required clearances, an Empowered Committee has been set up under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary, Government of NCTD of Delhi with representatives from all the concerned agencies/authorities to facilitate speedy clearances in respect of the games related projects. Another Committee has been set up, under Ministry of Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation to deal with clearances pertaining to Delhi Urban Arts Commission (DUAC). Keeping in view the need for developing adequate tourist accommodation in the context of the Commonwealth Games, an inter-ministerial Task Force has been set up under the Ministry of Tourism (MoT) for monit oring and coordinating further action in this regard by all the agencies concerned. For expediting the Central Government`s clearances in respect of hotels coming up in Uttar Pradesh, a Committee has been set up under Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

As regards financial approvals, Government has approved projects of Sports Authority of India for an amount of Rs.1000 crores (± 10%) for upgradation/creation of venue infrastructure; ungradation of tennis venue by All India Tennis Association at a cost of Rs.30 crores (± 15%) and expenditure budget of Organizing Committee of Rs.767 crores (± 15%) for `Conduct of the Games` . Expenditure Finance Committee has recommended proposal of Delhi Development Authority of Rs.325.00 crores (± 25%) for international zone etc. in the Games village and sports infrastructure. The Planning Commission has, in principle approved a proposal of the Government of NCT of Delhi for upgradation of the civic infrastructure in the context of the Commonwealth Games, including sports venues for two events, for an amount of Rs.770.00 crores.

(b) Yes, Sir. As per time lines provided by the implementing agencies, all the Commonwealth Games related projects are expected to be completed in time.

(c) In respect of the preparation of the Indian contingent for Commonwealth Games, 2010 with a view to improve performance, extensive discussions were held with all stakeholders, and it was decided that expenditure on preparation of teams should be subsumed within the existing schemes of the Ministry related to talent search, training, competition, etc. with suitable modifications and enhancements. Other requirements over and above these, are being assessed in consultation with each National Sports Federation based on which an action plan for each discipline will also be prepared, and the special needs would be met out of the National Sports Development Fund, Private Sponsorship, etc