1,000 solar rickshaws to ferry Commonwealth Games athletes

NEW DELHI: New delhi would deploy at least 1,000 solar rickshaws to ferry over 7,000 athletes and their delegates during the Commonwealth Games in October.

A joint project between Delhi government and the central government-run Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), these zero carbon vehicles will help players commute inside the Games villages and reach sporting venues from Metro stations.

According to a senior scientist at CSIR, "Its a unique initiative, where both innovation and concern for environment will be on display". "We hope the initiative will be a huge hit among athletes from across the globe. The fleet of 1,000 solar rickshaws will reduce the carbon foot print and provide hassle free travel to our guest sportsmen," said Kumar, who has been coordinating with the city government.

These rickshaws are the greenest transport vehicles and help the cause of Green Games as promised by the Delhi government. These are optimally designed, pedal operated, motor assisted green pedicabs which draw their power from overhead solar panels.

Over 7,000 players and delegates from over 70 countries will reach Delhi to be a part of the Commonwealth Games Oct 3-14 in the national capital.

These vehicles were developed by CSIR's Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute based in Durgapur.

Kumar said he and his team are working hard to popularise the vehicle and set to hold a rally in its favour. "We are going to hold a rally of at least 50 solar rickshaws in Delhi to create awareness among people about the vehicle that reduces human drudgery and improves environment."

Ecological Code for Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010 unveiled

The XIX Commonwealth games in Delhi is all set to be the first ever completely green sporting event. Advancing in this context, today the landmark ecological code for the XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi was unvieled, which aims to ensure reasonable consumption of electricity and water in all the stadiums.

The ecological code were released by Delhi Chief Minister Smt. Sheila Dikshit along with Mr. Suresh Kalmadi, Chairman Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi Organising Committee. Mr. Kalmadi said, "this measure would go a long way to limit the carbon footprint in Delhi and would strive to make the XIX Commonwealth Games pollution free."

He added, "Releasing of the code is the first step towards ensuring that we are successful in our mission of conducting the first ever green games in the history of the Commonwealth Games. The Organising Committee is deeply and passionately committed towards preserving and restoring the environment and establishing a benchmark for low carbon sporting events and will be successful in showcasing Delhi 2010 as sustainable "Green Games".

Also present there was Dr. Shashi Tharoor, Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Chairman & Green Games Sub-committee OC CWG Delhi 2010, who also acknowledged the Organising Committee 2010 Delhi initiative to launch the drive towards green games concept, educating people and creating awareness for environmental protection.

In his concluding remark, Mr. Kalmadi, gently reminded everyone on the importance of preserving our environment, he said, " Paidh Hai to Sher Hai"

Smt. Dikshit, Delhi Chief Minister stated that "all stadia are being constructed to ensure reasonable consumption of electricity and water in stadia during the games." "There is also focus on bio-diverse plantation to offset the carbon footprint", she added.

Dr. Shashi Tharoor, reiterated that the XIX Commonwealth Games would be the "greenest Commonwealth Games ever." He further went on to add that "the games would leave a legacy beyond roads and infrastructure; one of greater consciousness of the environment."

Power Ministry urges to set green example in Delhi Games

The Power ministry of India has written to the Commonwealth Games organising committee to set an example by using energy-efficient appliances and lighting in the Commonwealth Games stadiums and Village.

The Bureau of Energy Efficiency, a division of the ministry of Power, has written to the committee urging it to “showcase” India as leader in energy efficiency. The committee has been asked to procure appliances with a five-star energy rating only.

According to a senior official of BEE, “We believe equipment and appliances still need to be procured for Games venues and the housing complexes. The time for intervention is now, and the Games should be the way of setting an example”.

Under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (conceived two years ago), setting up energy-efficient systems falls under methods of mitigating climate change — and mandatory labelling of electric appliances is one of the first targets under the plan. While work on this has already begun, several other policies are still in the conception stage.

The Ministry of Environment and Forests held a meeting with the BEE and the Games officials last week to chart a strategy to achieve targets and showcase India’s climate-friendly policies through the Commonwealth Games.

While energy efficiency labelling — more stars signify that more energy is saved — is now mandatory for tubelights, frost-free refrigerators, air-conditioners and transformers, the same rules will soon be imposed on washing machines as well. “We are still in the process of bringing more products and appliances under the ambit of energy labelling. The Games (committee), meanwhile, should certainly invest in ensuring that most appliances are energy-efficient,” the official said.

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.