Date:19/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/19/stories/2008081954010400.htm

New Delhi

Cabinet clears elevated road project

Staff Reporter

Special perks, including pay and ration money, for firemen also approved

To facilitate movement of players during the Games 2010
To be completed within 24 months from the award of work

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Cabinet on Monday gave its nod for construction of an elevated road over Barapullah drain from Sarai Kale Khan to Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. It also approved grant of compensatory pay and ration money to Delhi Fire Service non-gazetted operational staff and decided to submit a revised recommendation to the Lieutenant-Governor for summoning the three-day monsoon session of the Delhi Assembly from September 10 as against September 3.

Following the meeting, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said the elevated road over Barapullah drain would be constructed to facilitate movement of 10,000 players during the Commonwealth Games from the Games Village to JLN Stadium that would be the main venue. She said Rs.498 crore would be released for construction of the elevated road. The project would be completed within 24 months from the award of work. She said the road would provide a permanent link between East Delhi and Central Delhi and would save valuable time of commuters. Apart from this, it would also ease traffic congestion on Ring Road at Ashram, on Mathura Road and other arterial roads.

Ms. Dikshit said the Cabinet had also approved a proposal for grant of compensatory pay and ration money to the non-gazetted operational staff of the Delhi Fire Service as they are exposed to the hazards of fire and other calamities on a daily basis and because there was no provision available to them earlier for taking a break for lunch or dinner. In all, she said, 2,476 employees would get the benefit of 13th month salary and ration money of Rs.722 per month. This provision would cost the Delhi Government Rs.4.45 crore per annum. The Chief Minister said the Cabinet had also decided to submit a revised recommendation to the Lieutenant-Governor for summoning of the monsoon session of the Delhi Assembly from September 10. Earlier, it had recommended that it be summoned from September 3.