CWG - Delhi

I am in Delhi this time for common Wealth Game as my sister has participated. Delhi is a national capital of India. It is naturally exposed to long periods of hot temperatures. The period from 3rd Oct - 14th of 2010 is no exception. The good news is that Delhi has dry heat; when temperature is high, humidity is low (~20% rh). This situation supports human thermo-regulation because it allows sweat to be evaporated during exercise, and heat loss to occur.

Most of the venues are near Yamuna River. It is a major tributary in Northern India that flows through many Indian provinces into the Ganges, bisects the City in two parts. On Eastern Side of the River, a population of about 4 million persons live whereas on the Western side the remaining population lives. The Competition Venues where the sports events are to take place are within the populated area mostly on the Western Side of the River but some venues are also on its Eastern side. Considering the requirement of every competition event and to facilitate the movement of players, coaches and team managers etc. for different events, the competition venues have been finalized and the site of Games Village have been selected near the River Yamuna. Most of the site of CWG lies on the floodplain of the Yamuna River. My major concern as being an environmentalist is floodplain defines a river and the surrounding city. With the threats of climate change looming large, one cannot really predict with absolute certainty, but the next time the river comes down with its flood of water, there will be no floodplain available to control it, and the city would then said to be “flooded”. Narrow riverbed also means smaller area larger the intensity of chemicals and also less mobility for water which shows deep impact on marine flora and fauna.

Few more things were also been noticed like sudden increase in construction in city also means more chemicals used and increase in dust particles. Which also means decrease in open land and hence decrease in total soil area in city and hence less space to breathe fresh air. It may result into increase in temperature, less rain. This is a vicious circle which might continue if not taken care… A thousand trees have been felled or transplanted (which could not be successful everywhere) and the inhabitants of the slums and houses have been forced to leave their homes to make way for the Games’ required stadiums and amenities.

Mass population has flooded from rural area for the work on the construction sites which also means slum has increased and other associated problem too like lack of space, increase in unhygienic, water, pollution and population. Basic energy needs for cooking and heating depend on the burning of dung, wood, crop waste, or coal.

Problem does not end for the laborers here, as there may not be much construction work left in the city after CWG.

It is not the only concern there are many associated problems come up with it like Parts of the University of Delhi have now become inaccessible to the students of the university. Spaces that saw annual hosting of events, meet and get together are now busy being constructed upon and lost forever, for the Commonwealth Games 2010.

Aravallis – one of the two lifelines of Delhi city have been in the news almost for a major part of this year. Their manmade denudation, especially in the southern, south-western part of the city sells excellently as construction material for developing Delhi. The remaining land returns excellent real estate capital. However, the denudation is only the first self-alert sign of Delhi’s climate changing from semi-arid to completely arid, and the warning of a desert like situation in the near future.

But all is not that bad as Government has at least tried plantation inside city to make it look greener and look better place to live.It also improved transportation and cleanliness inside city. Hmmm even after so many problems (Think majorly ‘cos of the political issues as they did not plan well)it’s a beautiful city and people are really good.