NEW DELHI: In order to ensure a uniform look across the city during Commonwealth Games 2010, New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has been asked to acquire street furniture for all important stretches.

With 54 stretches identified for streetscaping before the Games, an expression of interest (EOI) has been floated by NDMC for acquiring information kiosks, security booths, food kiosks, bus shelters, toilets, benches and dustbins which will comprise the furniture required. The main aim of carrying out streetscaping is to make the stretches pedestrian-friendly.

Said an NDMC official: "We will install street furniture around 11 Games venues, near airports, railway stations, hotels etc. To ensure a uniform look, NDMC coordinated with MCD and PWD and has now floated an EOI. An agency will be given advertising rights and will manufacture and maintain the street furniture. We will shortlist the company within a month's time and it will take another six months to execute the project. Each agency has already hired consultants to carry out streetscaping work.''

The financial implications of the project is still being worked out. Meanwhile, streetscaping will take place along a 75-km stretch in the city with 24 roads belonging to PWD, 21 to MCD and nine to NDMC.

NDMC has already begun streetscaping work along Tees January Marg, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Mother Teresa Crescent, Sardar Patel Lane and Mandir Marg. Meanwhile, MCD is supposed to take on work along Lodhi Road, Dilip Singh Marg, Surajkund Road, Harsukh Dev Marg, Jhandu Singh Marg, Vivekanand Road, Venkateshwar Mandir Marg, road near Kingsway Camp, Nishad Raj Road, Bhishampitamah Marg and Lodhi Road. PWD will take on stretches along Ring Road and Outer Ring Road.

Meanwhile, MCD is not too happy with NDMC being made responsible for shortlisting the company which will take care of street furniture for the entire city. Mayor Dr Kanwar Sain also wrote a letter to NDMC chairperson expressing his objections.