People expect spectacular games, complete work quickly : PM (Third Lead)

NEW DELHI - With 35 days left for the Commonwealth Games, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Sunday visited the centrepiece Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the venue of the opening and closing ceremonies, and asked officials to “redouble their efforts to quickly complete” the work as people “expect a spectacular” opening to the mega event.

“The prime minister, this morning, visited the Jawaharlal Nehru Sports Complex where the opening and closing ceremonies of the Commonwealth Games are scheduled to be held,” said a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.

Apart from the opening and the closing ceremonies, the stadium will also host athletics, weightlifting and lawn bowls out of the 17 disciplines for the Oct 3-14 Games.

Accompanied by Sports Minister M.S. Gill and Commonwealth Games Organising Committee Chairperson Suresh Kalmadi, the prime minister was shown the various facilities at the complex, including the field of play, media facilities, the VIP box, stands for spectators, security and other arrangements.

“The prime minister said that it was a beautiful stadium and he urged all concerned authorities to redouble their efforts to quickly complete whatever works remained as the people were expecting a spectacular and flawless opening to the Commonwealth Games,” the statement said here.

Manmohan Singh reached the renovated bowl-shaped stadium around noon to take stock of the venue.

“He was at the stadium for 25 minutes and spoke to officials about games preparedness,” an official told IANS.

A 40 tonne stage will be erected in the middle of the ground for the ceremonies and work is expected to begin by mid-September.

The prime minister’s visit to the stadium also came two days after Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit confirmed that the Aug 31 deadline for completion of all Games-related projects will not be met.

But she also said the city will be ready at least 15 days before the Games start Oct 3, “provided the sun shines and the rains stop”.

The prime minister stepped in following delays and widespread corruption allegations in the biggest sporting event being organised in India since the 1982 Asian Games.

During his meeting two weeks back, he issued clear instructions that the facilities for the Commonwealth Games should be made ready in time and meet international standards as the “eyes of the world” were on the country.

After the meeting, an empowered committee, headed by the cabinet secretary, had been overseeing Games preparedness, along with a group of ministers headed by Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy.

Thereafter, 10 senior officials of joint secretary and additional secretary rank were deputed to oversee operations at specific venues. The officials were given the authority to take decisions on the spot.

The stadium has been refurbished at a cost of a whopping Rs.9.6 billion (approximately $200 million) with international consultants from six countries - Germany, Switzerland, Britain, US, Mexico and Australia - putting their heads together to construct the state-of-art facility.

The deadline for completion of the venue has been pushed several times since the Central Public Works Department began the construction work two years and eight months ago.