DRDO rejects Rs 24 cr CWG aerostat gift

Bangalore: It’s been two years since Delhi hosted the Commonwealth Games, but controversy continues to dog the event as a Rs 24-crore purchase of an aerostat could well go down the drain.

The aerostat was donated to the Defence Research and Development Organization ( DRDO). But it is gathering dust as the defence establishment feels it is of no use to it.

The aerostat, purchased from an Italian firm, had been used for creating special effects during the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games. After the Games, it was deflated and tucked away in the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

The Union government decided to donate it to DRDO as the establishment had asked for it. But the official who made that request is no longer with the DRDO. Ravi Kumar Gupta, director, directorate of public interface, said the DRDO would not be acquiring the aerostat. He said it was built for creative purposes and doesn’t benefit defence research . Gupta said DRDO was developing aerostats that could go up to 100km.

Mukund Chatterjee, joint secretary, ministry of sports, said, “There is a Cabinet decision to hand over the aerostat to DRDO. We also forwarded an official letter asking them to take charge. However, there’s no reply yet, nor any communication that they won’t be taking it.”