NEW DELHI: As the city gears up to host Commonwealth Games-2010, Delhi Development Authority (DDA) is likely to provide around 5,000 apartments to meet the huge accommodation shortage, a major concern ahead of the mega event.
Racing against time, an inter-ministerial group set up to expedite preparations for the Games is learnt to have okayed the proposal to ask DDA to meet the accommodation shortage by handing over around 5,000 flats to India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) before the event.
The proposal will help government bridge the gap in hotel accommodation but DDA officials feel the prices of these flats after the ITDC makeover may become too high for the general populace.
TOI had earlier reported that the ministerial panel, headed by urban development minister S Jaipal Reddy, was considering the option of roping in DDA to meet the accommodation deficit.
The ministerial panel, with tourism minister Ambika Soni and S&T minister Kapil Sibal as members, has met several times to review progress of ongoing works being executed by various agencies. The panel's main concern, however, is the shortage of hotel accommodation for foreign and domestic visitors during the sporting extravaganza.
The government expects 1.5 lakh visitors during the Games as 71 countries are scheduled to take part in the event to be held from October 3-14, 2010.
Sports minister M S Gill had also voiced concern that the target of creating an additional 30,000 hotel rooms might not be achieved.
Tourism ministry sources said officials from the ministry and DDA had held several rounds of consultations to finalise modalities for handing over the flats, mostly in Vasant Kunj, to ITDC by March 2009.
A tourism ministry official said that though details were yet to be worked out, ITDC would spruce up the flats after taking possession from DDA to make them more attractive for foreign visitors.
Sources said the flats would be handed back to DDA after the Games and the development agency would be free to auction them to the public.
However, DDA officials said that after the ITDC makeover, prices of the flats would escalate many times over.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Delhi/DDA_may_provide_5000_flats_to_house_Cwealth_visitors/articleshow/3953261.cms
Racing against time, an inter-ministerial group set up to expedite preparations for the Games is learnt to have okayed the proposal to ask DDA to meet the accommodation shortage by handing over around 5,000 flats to India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) before the event.
The proposal will help government bridge the gap in hotel accommodation but DDA officials feel the prices of these flats after the ITDC makeover may become too high for the general populace.
TOI had earlier reported that the ministerial panel, headed by urban development minister S Jaipal Reddy, was considering the option of roping in DDA to meet the accommodation deficit.
The ministerial panel, with tourism minister Ambika Soni and S&T minister Kapil Sibal as members, has met several times to review progress of ongoing works being executed by various agencies. The panel's main concern, however, is the shortage of hotel accommodation for foreign and domestic visitors during the sporting extravaganza.
The government expects 1.5 lakh visitors during the Games as 71 countries are scheduled to take part in the event to be held from October 3-14, 2010.
Sports minister M S Gill had also voiced concern that the target of creating an additional 30,000 hotel rooms might not be achieved.
Tourism ministry sources said officials from the ministry and DDA had held several rounds of consultations to finalise modalities for handing over the flats, mostly in Vasant Kunj, to ITDC by March 2009.
A tourism ministry official said that though details were yet to be worked out, ITDC would spruce up the flats after taking possession from DDA to make them more attractive for foreign visitors.
Sources said the flats would be handed back to DDA after the Games and the development agency would be free to auction them to the public.
However, DDA officials said that after the ITDC makeover, prices of the flats would escalate many times over.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Delhi/DDA_may_provide_5000_flats_to_house_Cwealth_visitors/articleshow/3953261.cms
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