NEW DELHI: lessons from Melbourne CWG

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NEWS

COMMONWEALTH GAMES 2010

What impressed Delhi in Melbourne

With the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee in Delhi set to come out with a final report this Monday on the arrangements made at the Melbourne Games and its special features, Newsline got a sneak preview of what Delhi officials think went into the success of Melbourne. Here’s what caught the eye of the 30-member team comprising officials of Delhi Police, DDA, the organising panel and various agencies during their stay there.

ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE
The Aussies had advanced technical gadgets in use with intensive electronic surveillance. Two persons in the control room watched over 150 cameras at various locations. Even individuals could be tracked. Latest door frame metal detectors were used.

RESTRICTED BAR CODE BASED ENTRY
Entry tickets all imprinted with bar codes, which only allowed access to areas as indicated in the ticket and for events one has only paid for. No gate-crashing possibilities at all.

NO COMPLIMENTARY PASSES
This one is a serious concern for officials in Delhi. In a city where free entry is almost a way of life and buying a ticket almost unheard of, Melbourne’s policy of not issuing a single complimentary pass has left the Delhi Police highly impressed.

VOLUNTEERS
15,000 volunteers, including government officials, students and even housewives, drove visitors to the Games. They served as highly informed tourist guides with the best of behaviour on display. And all this free of cost!

OFFICIALSPEAK
Former New Delhi DCP Anita Roy, who spent 45 days studying the arrangements in Melbourne, has returned impressed. However, she says Delhi is a different ball game altogether. “The most impressive was the way the volunteers worked. Add to it a crowd that understood rules and adhered to them. They also had very advanced technical gadgets for surveillance purposes. Frisking was less, but then Melbourne also has low threat perception, unlike Delhi," she said.

ARMY on STAND-BY
Though there was little obtrusive security, there was no dearth of security concerns. With the army stationed near all venues of the Games and all movements well rehearsed and timed in advance, things were taken care of efficiently. Emergency drop exit gates were in place at all venues of the Commonwealth Games for quick evacuation.

LOW POLICE PRESENCE, MINIMAL FRISKING
As against 1 lakh visitors to the Melbourne Cricket Ground, there were just 110-odd policemen on duty. Frisking was minimal and done by a private agency. No additional security for anyone. Just two security persons were given for British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

CROWD BEHAVIOUR
The crowd at Melbourne was an example of disciplined behaviour, respect for rules and directions — something Delhi will have to somehow inculcate over the next 3 years.

SUPERB SIGNAGE
No visitor had to stop and ask for directions. Signages made it a cruise for even first timers. At all venues, a big number of entry/ exit gates ensured no queues.

SMART TICKETING
The ticket for various Games events also allowed one to avail just about any mode of transport in the city, from buses to cabs to trams.

GPS ALL OVER
All cabs in Melbourne were put on the Global Positioning System ensuring the safety and security of all visitors.