The tunnel road, first of its kind in Delhi, was planned by the PWD to
connect the Games village to the Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium and was to
cost Rs 600 crores. It was to be connected to the airport road from the
Nehru Stadium in a phased manner.
The PWD had initially convinced the ASI and got the green signal to
start the project after changing the alignment. The PWD even decided to
have officials from the ASI in the entire digging process.
However, with the latest directive from the PMO, the project will now be
on hold and no construction will take place. Officials of the PWD
refused to comment on the flip-flop of the ASI (giving permission to the
project and later opposing it), saying the matter was with the PMO.
cont'd....
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1933740,000600010001.htm
======================
Stating that the project was not a one-off kind but would rather set a
"legacy" for others that would have to be taken up for Delhi's
development, Ms. Dikshit said there were differences of opinion on
various issues covering it. While the project is aimed at reducing
travel time from the trans-Yamuna area to Lodhi Road by at least 15
minutes and providing easy access to Nehru Stadium from the Commonwealth
Games Village site during the mega event due in 2010, the ASI and the
DUAC are concerned about the aesthetics and its impact on the historical
monuments.
Reacting to such concerns, Ms. Dikshit said: "It is a big and innovative
project. While alternatives are being suggested, no one has actually
applied their mind to realise its importance. Also the options suggested
have been technically not sound."
To iron out the differences, the Chief Minister on Tuesday convened a
meeting with officials of the DUAC, Public Works Department and Delhi
Fire Service to discuss the issue. However, as the discussions remained
inconclusive, another meeting has been called on March 1.
"We do not want departments to give suggestions which are impractical
and neither do we want to spoil the ambience of Delhi. In future many
such projects would have to be constructed and so we want to develop a
consensus on how such plans can be implemented while addressing the
concerns of all," she said.
cont'd....
http://www.hindu.com/2007/02/21/stories/2007022124300300.htm