Sunday, February 15, 2009

Chief Minister admits unhappiness with CWG preparations

Delhi’s Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said she was not happy with the preparations for the 2010 Commonwealth Games but was confident that everything would be ready in time.

She said: “There are some (projects) which are behind. “There are some which are, you know, beyond the schedule. “I would not say that I am totally satisfied, but I would not say that I am nervous.”

Dikshit’s comments followed the story on ‘ Insidethegames ‘ on February 3rd that the Games have been hit by a new legal dispute after the Delhi Delivery Authority (DDA) did not respond in a time to a request from India’s Supreme Court that they had broken the country’s environmental laws.

There are also new fears that there will not be enough accommodation for overseas visitors after plans to build six new hotels were scrapped because of the current worldwide economic crisis.

There are also long-time concerns over the pace of building work, including over the velodrome, and security following the Mumbai massacre in November.

But Dikshit, elected for a record third consecutive term last month as New Delhi’s Minister, remains confident that she will oversee a successful event. She said: “I think everybody is trying to do their best. “It’s about India’s prestige.”

The Games, seen as a forerunner to a bid from New Delhi to host the 2020 Olympics, are due to take place in October 2010. Dikshit said: “All things will be in place before the Games.”

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