Commonwealth Games Village gets dedicated power grid
TNN, Apr 4, 2010,
NEW DELHI: The Commonwealth Games Village on Saturday got a dedicated power sub-station, the first green grid in north India. Officials said the grid would help meet power demand at the Village during the Games and provide relief to nearly two lakh people residing in nearby areas.

The Rs 40-crore Commonwealth Grid sub-station with an a capacity of 66/11KV was inaugurated by chief minister Sheila Dikshit. She said the facility will distribute around 50MW electricity to the Village as well as adjoining localities. "Not only the Games Village, but the adjoining areas will get the benefit of this grid. There is no chance for failure with this grid as it operates on a dual system. If it cannot draw power from Delhi, it will get electricity from national Grid,'' Dikshit said.

She also said the grid reflects the "green'' spirit of the Games as environment-friendly fly ash bricks were used for its construction. It also has facilities for water harvesting and 30% of its area has green cover, Dikshit said.

Responding to a suggestion of east Delhi MP Sandeep Dikshit, the CM said there was a need to tap solar energy as the conventional sources cannot be there for ever. She said by next year Delhi will have enough power and the government will do every bit to provide electricity. "But the consumers should also do their bit to save power. If every house conserves power, then there will no power deficiency in the city,'' Dikshit said.

The CM also took on those opposed to holding Commonwealth Games in Delhi, saying there will be some expenses but the flyovers, new buses, Metro system and other development activities will stay. "The Commonwealth Games will change the image of Delhi,'' she said.