Foreign Delegates Visit Games Venues, Express Concern Over Slow Pace of Projects

Questions about Delhi’s preparedness for the Commonwealth Games refuse to stop. Even as the summit of security experts from 26 participating nations for the Commonwealth Games concluded on Thursday with the delegates expressing satisfaction on security plans, issues of preparedness apparently made the rounds during visits to some of the venues. The issue certainly took centre-stage at an interaction later in the day, with both Delhi governments’ special advisor to the Games, Ramesh Narayanaswamy as well as home secretary, G K Pillai, reiterating that projects would be ready on time.

For the organizing committee though, the two-day summit was good news as delegates expressed satisfaction with the plans that the Delhi Police had drawn up for the city’s security during the Games. Emphasizing that there was no specific threat to Commonwealth Games 2010, Pillai added, ‘‘The event will be fully safe and secure.’’

The setup of the International Security Liaison Group (ISLG), as the intermediary between the government and the security experts from the participating nation, also got Delhi brownie points. Added Pillai, ‘‘The ISLG will facilitate a common platform to share any threat perception, coordinate on security related issues and frame a guide map to enhance security during the Games. Security in all the competition and training venues, Games family hotels and the Games Village will be foolproof.’’

To add to the assurances, Delhi police commissioner Y S Dadwal added that police augmentation had already started with the opening of new police stations as well as recruitment of more personnel. Besides this, Dadwal said a massive traffic awareness drive will be conducted with the help of Games volunteers, media and social organizations as the Games draw near. Incidentally, the Games will have 30,000 volunteers who will be trained for the event. Delhi government too is planning to start campaigns on civic behavior in the coming months.

At the event, Pillai also announced that the Queen’s Baton would be handed over to the Indian President on October 29, as the Baton Relay starts. The baton will be fitted with GPS. Olympic gold medalist Abhinav Bindra will be the first baton bearer, which will travel 1,70,000 km.

While delegates who visited some of the venues like Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the Games Village and the Major Dhyan Chand stadium were happy with the security set-up, sources said that on-going construction at the JN stadium came up for discussion.