Does fate of 2010 Commonwealth Games hang in balance?

New Delhi, Oct 13 (UNI) The recently held Beijing Olympics raised the bar for the subsequent sports events globally, with Tourism Minister Ambika Soni declaring that the Commonwealth Games to be held in 2010 would be an impeccable and a splendid affair.
A kind of tension seems to be brewing in the minds of all the stakeholders of the Commonwealth Games as to how to meet the high standards set by the implementation machinery set in action by the Chinese government.
But Ms Soni was quick to add that there was a difference in the political systems of the two countries. While the Chinese government could order a ban on the movement of private cars in certain areas, a free and vibrant democracy like India cannot even imagine taking recourse to such a step. That there was no country like India where many freedoms are granted and yet it must not be found wanting in any manner in holding the games, after all the country's prestige would be at stake.
In short, the Commonwealth Games would be a truly Indian affair with its own flavour.
The Minister made these remarks at the opening session of the recently concluded two-day Convention organised by Indian Tourist Transporters Association (ITTA). The theme of the event was 'Motoring the Commonwealth Games'. It turned out that many things would go to make for the success of the Games, which require meticulous planning, well in advance.
Now just look at what transport tour operators alone would have to
do.
The advice came from Mr V K Duggal, former Home Secretary and Member of the Commission on Centre State Relations.
The transport tour operators must imbibe the matra called 'PACE'--Punctuality, according top priority to state-of-the-art equipment, courtesy and efficiency. He did this with the display of Boards, as you would find is done in schools.
Mr Duggal impressed upon the audience that the road network in and around Delhi was far short of the growth of vehicular traffic. This being so, the volume of traffic on roads during the games would multiply requiring proper planning.
ITTA President Sarab Jit Singh said his organisation was fired by the "great success and meticulous planning" of the Beijing Olympics and the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games. "We have collectively decided to shoulder the responsibility of providing complete transportation services to participants of the Games," he said.
"With minimal help from the government, both Centre and States, we can perform our role with elan," he said.
The Games will entail massive all round training of motoring and support staff, he said.
What are the issues involved in handling the motoring aspects of the 2010 Games?
The expectation is that about 8,000 athletes and other supporting staff will descend on India. In addition, 6,000 more people will participate in the event comprising technical teams, media, officials and VIPs from various countries.
The Delhi government faces a formidable challenge of providing an international standard infrastructure within a rigorous timeline.
This includes building several sports stadium, developing the Commonwealth Games village for accommodating athletes and visiting officials, building new roads and expansion of the Delhi metro.
Mr Singh says ITTA's Delhi-based members alone have more than 7,500 tourist vehicles with more than 300 luxury coaches. The fleet of cars is frequently updated to adapting new technologies.
The Convention highlighted that safety and security of the athletes and the visitors would be of paramount importance. It said security clearance will be required for all the drivers and the supporting staff, who will be deputed for the job.
As the number of drivers and supporting staff would be significantly large, the process of selection and recruitment has to begin as soon as possible. There is shortage of time for the recruits to be given training.
Officials of the Organising Committee of the Commonwealth Games were present at the Convention to take note of the proceedings of the event. The experts said certain specific parameters of security clearance need to be laid down to indicate that the driver is not affiliated to any terror organisation.