Youth Olympics to cost more than S$300 million.

*Picture taken from http://theonlinecitizen.com/2010/07/yog-budget-balloons-s104m-to-s387m/

The inaugural Youth Olympics is about to take place and while much news have been generated, I was wondering whether we all know about this piece of news.

The Youth Olympics was estimated to cost S$104 million but is now reported that it may cost the country S$387 million, which is more than 3 times the initial estimate. In contrast to this amount, The ComCare and Social Support programme is set to receive S$92.39 million while the Social Service Sector Planning programme is set to receive $83.02 million, of which both costs more than 3 times less than the inaugural event which is to last for 13 days, this August 2010.

More surprising news is that the local government is putting its initiative to allocate a special lane for YOG vehicles through markings on its road, which requires local vehicles to give way to YOG vehicles or be liable to a fine of S$130. I suppose this is to encourage the locals to show graciousness as hosts and to allow smooth travel of YOG vehicles between event venues.

I wonder if the local government extrapolates this initiative to ensuring that locals give way to emergency vehicles such as Ambulances? I suppose if the purpose is to ensure smooth travel and to encourage graciousness, this should have been initiated a long time ago for emergency vehicles too? We can only wonder...