Sheila opens CWG helpline with 'bad call'

Irritated by poor reception, CM disconnected the number

Irritated by poor reception, CM disconnected the number

Oof ye kya hua: Delhi CM Shiela Dikshit at the launch of the Delhi Tourism 24-hour helpline on Thursday. PIC/Arjun Panwar

It was meant to be an image-building exercise - the launch of a CWG helpline for tourists. But things went horribly wrong. Inaugurating the 24-hour facility, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit nominated herself as the first caller.

The launch function was organised at the Delhi Secretariat on Thursday afternoon with the CM and her cabinet colleagues and senior officials.

Apparently the mobile network at the premises had a poor reception. So while the call centre representative politely replied to Sheila's queries, the poor signal and cracked voice got the CM irritated.

Incidentally, Sheila had placed a microphone from the organisers right next to her phone, so everyone present could hear the conversation. Finally, fed up with the whole 'charade', the CM disconnected the phone. After all, the inauguration ceremony was over and she didn't want to be left holding the line.

Games connect

Sheila Dikshit launched a tourism website and a helpline for round the clock information for tourists arriving in the capital for the Commonwealth Games. The new designed website provides information about transport availability from various parts of the city, online booking for rooms and a huge range of entertainment options. Additionally, the 24x7, live City Information Services allow visitors to Delhi to get an instant response to their queries. Now all one has to do is dial "1280" from any phone (MTNL or private mobile service) and get answers to any question related to Delhi's tourism.