Delhi will have 42 information kiosks-cum-food counters installed by a private firm to make the city "more hospitable" for tourists during the Commonwealth Games.

City-based Ved Pohoja Associates today said it is setting up the kiosks, branded 'Tourist Info-Cafes,' in several areas across the capital with support from civic agencies like MCD and NDMC.

"Our primary aim was to create a brand for Delhi and to help tourists carry good memories of Delhi even after the Games. For this, we have drawn people from diverse professions including hospitality, architecture, finance consultancy and designing," said designer Ved Pohoja, who has conceived the project.

The kiosks, slated to be operational for 60 days from September 14, will be set up in 32 sites given by MCD including Chandni Chowk, South Extension, Karol Bagh among others and 10 NDMC sites comprising Janpath, Chanakyapuri, Sarojini Nagar and other places.

"A similar project in New York was started and it has met with astounding success. Delhi lacks a brand of its own and that is what we have attempted to create here," Pohoja told PTI.

The ambitious 7.5 crore project will also have an interactive device in the form of touch screens in each kiosk that will guide tourists to Games venues, tourist sites in the city, shopping, food, accommodation and nightlife.

"Along with the description of various tourist hot-spots, we have also provided information regarding various modes of transport available in the city. The touch screen can interact in eight different languages," explained Pohoja.

It will also provide information about ATMs, police station and hospitals along with important contact numbers. It has the facility to download using blue-tooth technology as well as e-mail and take printouts.

The project proponents have also come out with their own line of accessories branded 'Delhi Memories' and will sell T-shirts, bags, crockery, chocolates, stationery, busts of prominent personalities and key chains.

The kiosks will also have a counter for the sale of Coffee Table books on Delhi in addition to a food counter.

Till date, 30 kiosks have been installed at prime market locations of MCD area and another 10 will follow soon, said Pohoja.

Talking about the project, Municipal Commissioner K S Mehra said that he was happy that private players like Pohoja were enthusiastic to make the Games a success and asked the citizen to do their bit for the city.

"It's high time the media and the people stopped giving so much negative publicity to the Games. Everyone points to the one street light that isn't working and ignore the hundred others that are working. We need more people to come up with innovative ideas to ensure that tourists have fond memories of the city," he said.