Thyagraj stadium will get its own gas turbine, turns green

Delhi: The officials of Delhi’s Public Works Department will be getting ready next week to receive a special shipment from Switzerland. It’s a gas turbine meant for Thyagraj Stadium near the INA market. It will help make the Commonwealth Games a lot “greener” event and a few neighbourhoods in South Delhi a lot brighter at night.

During the Games, the 2.5 MW power generated from it will run the stadium. After the Games, the same power will light up at least 625 homes in nearby areas.

“The 2.5 MW is more than enough to run the stadium, which will not see any power disruption,” said a PWD official, requesting anonymity.

“It will make the venue more environment friendly, and using the power for the public after the Games makes good sense,” the official said.

But this novel project has already raised some doubt regarding its viability as an asset after the Games because of the cost. The estimated per-unit cost is expected to be Rs 10 — three to five times more than what discoms get from other power sources.

The quantum of power in question, fortunately, is miniscule compared to Delhi’s total power consumption, which is expected to cross the 5,000 MW-mark this year.

“Since the government is pushing the project, it might get through because the total power generated is too meagre,” the source said.

Shooting range for Commonwealth Games inaugurated

New Delhi- Union Sports Minister M.S. Gill on Sunday inaugurated the reconstructed Karni Singh shooting range, loaded with advanced technology and equipment, just months after serious doubts were raised whether it could be ready in time for the Commonwealth championships, scheduled from February 17.

One of the major venues for the Commonwealth Games in October, Gill credited himself, the Sports Authority of India (SAI), the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) and the workforce for its speedy completion.

Gill admitted that he had doubts over the range being completed in time. “Nothing is lacking in this range. With its scenic beauty and the historical monuments around, this is the best shooting range in the world,” he said.

The President of the Commonwealth Shooting Federation, Graeme Hudson, said the venue could be rated among the top three ranges in the world. “India is coming up as a shooting power. I am sure after this state-of-the-art stadium, there will be events like World Cup and World championship here,” Hudson said.

The Minister promised that massive plantation and beautification would be done to make the site more attractive. “Plus, there will be a 200-seated hostel. This will be a self-contained facility to help the campers,” he said.

However, indoor and outdoor works are still on in the range and many areas are yet to be given the final touches. It was apparent that some of the decoration and civil works were done in haste for the inauguration.

Some top shooters of past and present — including Olympic silver medallist Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Asian Games gold winner Randhir Singh, Asian Games medal winner Mansher Singh, multiple Commonwealth Games gold winner Samaresh Jung — were pleased to see the world-class infrastructure in place.

”We the shooters congratulate the Sports Ministry, SAI and CPWD for having built the range in such a short time,” said Randhir, also the Vice-Chairman of the Organising Committee Commonwealth Games. He said he was invited to the event as a shooter.

Rathore hoped that things would be fully ready by the Commonwealth championships. “Tomorrow onwards we are shooting here. It is like fitting a coat (for oneself). I think the problems will be sorted out before the test event,” he said.

Mansher suggested that the facilities needed to improve for holding an international meet. “With the rocks in place (in trap shooting), the aesthetics were better in the old range. The colour used here does not look great either,” he said.

OCCG Chairman Suresh Kalmadi, in a statement, said that he could not be present on the occasion because of prior commitments in Pune, his Parliamentary constituency. Apparently, only Kalmadi was invited from the OC for the function, a minor departure from what was followed when the Dhyan Chand National Stadium was inaugurated earlier.