Rs 70 crore aerostat used in CWG on sale

The Commonwealth Games Organising Committee has decided to sell off the Rs 70 crore helium-filled balloon, which was the star attraction during the opening and closing ceremony of the mega sporting event held here 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 12 metre in diameter, 80 m long and 40 metre 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, 36 metre long with a diameter of 12 metre 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.

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 here on October 3 and 14 respectively.

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