Commonwealth Games may bring in Rs 775 cr

The organising committee for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi has projected a revenue of Rs 775 crore on the back of a total investment of Rs 5,165 crore, including infrastructure costs.

"The organising committee for the games has estimated the total investment for these, including infrastructure costs, at around Rs 5,165 crore. Revenue of Rs 775 crore has been projected from the games, as compared with a revenue of Rs 870 crore which was earned when these were recently hosted in Melbourne, Australia," a Planning Commission official told Business Standard.

The infrastructure committee for the Commonwealth Games headed by Member Secretary Planning Commission Rajiv Ratna Shah will shortly finalise the expenditure details for the games.

These will be submitted to Cabinet Secretary BK Chaturvedi, who will present the final recommendations to the prime minister's office by August end.

It has been estimated that around Rs 900 crore will be spent on event organisation, Rs 10 crore on the marketing efforts to be carried out by a marketing agency and Rs 20 crore as secretarial spending.

The expenditure incurred by the government for hosting the Asian Games in 1982 was around Rs 55 crore.

The prime minister's office has made it clear that infrastructure needs must be addressed keeping in mind the Commonwealth Games and need not be guided by the idea of holding the Olympics or Asian Games in the future.

On the other hand, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit wants infrastructure needs to be addressed so that they may later cater to the demands of the Olympics or the Asian Games, if the city hosts them.

Even the Commonwealth Games' organising committee Chairman Suresh Kalmadi had earlier said that the event was meant to promote the Olympic Games in the country, as India was bidding for the 2014 Asian Games, and vying to be host to the 2016 Olympics.

He had also said that India was almost certain to get the nod for hosting the Asian Games, as South Korea was the only other country in the race.

Delhi will also have an integrated transport system "" western and eastern highways and the metro rail "" ready by 2010. This would play a major role in easing traffic congestion and improving connectivity.