While the Commonwealth Games 2010 has evoked diverse reactions in view of the surrounding controversies, the latest is the missing Food-Plaza Project in the Paharganj area. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) was supposed to finish a Food Plaza project in the Paharganj area by August 10. However, not only the deadline has been crossed but the civic agency has so far only finished the digging work for the construction of 24-hour food outlet for visitors during the Games.
Even though the MCD officials have been tight-lipped about the project and the new deadline to finish the project, a Delhi government official has pointed out that the project might be scrapped. “A decision on the Food-Plaza project will be taken in the coming week,” added the Delhi government official.
With the Food-Plaza, the city government was also suppose to come up with a parking and a cultural theatre in the Paharganj area.
However, all the Commonwealth Games projects in Paharganj have failed to meet the deadlines, said a Delhi government official, adding that the civic agencies involved in these projects will be held responsible for failures to meet the deadlines.
A senior Delhi government official added, “Since Paharganj has some 800 budget hotels, there were expectations that many visitors during the Games might stay in the area.” The official added, “the local hotel owners in the Paharganj area and the city government might have gained good business if the MCD would have been successful in the Food-Plaza and cultural centre projects. If the projects are scrapped, it will be a huge loss.”
The plaza, which was to be constructed in the Paharganj area premises, was initially planned as a 24-hour food outlet.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi and the Delhi government had planned to bring in chefs from various states in India to run their food joints in the plaza.
“The Food Plaza was suppose to represent food and culture from different parts of India,” said a Delhi government official.