They know Rohtak and Jhajjar,but not Delhi roads

Most of the drivers ferrying top officials and athletes for the Games are originally truck and bus drivers from Rohtak and Jhajjar in Haryana without a clue about the roads in Delhi. Sombir,who drives T-1 delegates — highest on the protocol list among delegates — used to drive a truck in Haryana and stays in Jhajjar. This is the first time he is driving in Delhi. “I saw an advertisement in a vernacular daily,applied and got through. We were given a brief training,but never told about the routes to the venues. That is why most of us are struggling,” Sombir told Newsline.

His colleague Anil used to drive a bus between Rohtak,Bahadurgarh and Jhajjar. “We were hired by East India Cabs in Gurgaon. We were promised Rs 300 per day till the Games begin and Rs 500 per day during the Games fortnight. We were also promised food and conveyance allowance. But no money has come our way,” he said.

The bad facilities have forced more than 300 drivers to quit. Those left have either gone on a strike or are reluctant to work,especially at the Games Village. The drivers’ problems are more acute in the Village. They cannot take lunch boxes inside and have to be given packed food. And then,as one driver pointed out,it is often just a subzi and four rotis. “Even if we reach the Village after 10 pm will are given no food,” said Amit Kumar,a driver waiting at the SP Mukerjee Swimming Complex.

Plus,their passes don’t have “CGV” marked on it,essential to enter the Village. “We cannot enter the Village without a fight with the police. The Organising Committee is of no help,” said Deepak Mathur.