Delhi plans maintenance wing to protect Games infrastructure

NEW DELHI - The Delhi government is planning to create a maintenance wing to protect the Commonwealth Games infrastructure, Public Works Development (PWD) Minister Raj Kumar Chauhan said Wednesday.

“There is a threat of theft in these permanent structures. So the PWD (Public Works Department) is planning to have its separate maintenance wing so that it can keep a check on thefts,” Chauhan told IANS.

Three maintenance wings can be set up in as many zones of the PWD in the city, he said.

“They will be set up very soon,” he added.

The PWD was involved in the construction of flyovers, roads and also beautification of the structures ahead of the Oct 3-14 Games.

Meanwhile, an official said the government is also planning to keep the flowerpots, put up on the Delhi roads leading to the Games venues, in nurseries after reports of theft.

The PWD, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) — the agencies involved in the work to put these pots on the roads — will respectively put them in nurseries. Each pot costs around Rs.200-Rs.250.

The government is also planning to bring the departments of development and horticulture under the forest department for better coordination, added the official.

Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has been informed about the plan and she will soon take a decision on the matter, he added.