Rs70-crore aerostat used in C’Wealth Games on sale

The Commonwealth Games (CWG) Organising Committee (OC) has decided to sell off the Rs70 crore helium-filled balloon, which was the star attraction during the opening and closing ceremony of the mega sporting event held in New Delhi last year.

The committee has invited proposals for disposal of the aerostat and related accessories from interested organisations till February 18.

"It is an impressive dramatic piece that can support theatrical lighting, video projections on its surface and suspension of scenic elements," the proposal said.

The aerostat comprises two components 'The Torus' and 'The Sausage' both of which are to be inflated to achieve buoyancy. The Torus elliptical shaped tube is 12metre in diameter, 80metre long and 40metre wide, has an internal volume of 18,000 CuM and weighs 5,000 kgs (excluding cables and any rigging).

"The outside surface of the Torus is grey. The Sausage is cylindrical, 36metre long with a diameter of 12metre and an internal volume of 3,600 CuM, weighing approximately 1,200 kgs (excluding rigging, cables, etc.). It sits inside the Torus along the centre line," it said.

The OC official said the proposal is a part of its plan to sell different electronic items, temporary overlays material and office furnitures used during the opening and closing ceremonies of sporting extravaganza held at Jawahar Lal Nehru stadium on October 3 and 14 respectively.

The aerostat, which was bought from Liverpool, United Kingdom, was the centre of attraction during the sports meet.