CWG - Mixing cement in sand - Rajesh Kalra

Rajesh Kalra
Chief Editor, Times Internet Ltd.

Long ago, in the cult film 'Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron', a builder chides his junior officer when he complains there isn't enough cement. He chuckles and advises him "so far you have been mixing sand in cement, now start mixing cement in sand. Your problem is solved". We all laughed at it then for it was just a joke. Little did we know that a quarter of a century later that will turn into reality, that too for Games projects which are supposed to showcase us as having arrived at the world stage.

Would you feel safe entering an arena that is built on unsafe foundation? Would you pay to endanger your life? I don't think so. Why just the sports arena, even the other civil work done in the city seems to have been done using substandard material. On Delhi's VVIP Akbar road, a brand new streetlight pole came crashing down, snapped in the middle. Now, every time I drive on that road, I am apprehensive. Similarly, major portions of the brand-new six-lane road that leads to the CRPF shooting range in Gurgaon, where some events will be held, has been washed away after a few hours of sustained rains. The response to all such mess is that it would be set right. Sure! But at what cost? Who is paying for it?

About: Rajesh Kalra is the Chief Editor of Times internet, the digital arm of the Times group that handles www.timesofindia.com;www.economictimes.com;www.navbharattimes.com;www.ethindi.com;www.etgujarati.com;www.maharashtratimes.com etc. A journalist for two decades, he also tried his hands at entrepreneurship in between. Although he has written on several subjects, he has a weakness for IT and telecommunications. He is an avid sportsman, a trained high-altitude mountaineer and a marathoner.

You can read his blogs here and follow him on twitter as well.

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