Quickly complete work, says PM at Nehru stadium (Second Lead)

NEW DELHI - Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Sunday visited the remodelled and reconstructed Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and asked officials to “redouble their efforts to quickly complete” the work as people “expect a spectacular” Commonwealth Games, which are just 35 days away.

“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.

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 playing fields, 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 refurbished stadium around noon to take stock of the venue.

The prime minister intervened in the Games preparations following delays and corruption allegations in the biggest sporting event being organised in India since the 1982 Asiad.

During a meeting two weeks ago, 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 India.

After the meeting, an empowered committee, headed by the cabinet secretary, has been overseeing Games preparedness, along with a group of ministers headed by 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 Nehru stadium has been refurbished at a whopping Rs.9.6 billion (approximately $200 million) with international consultants from six countries - Germany, Switzerland, Britain, the US, Mexico and Australia - putting their heads together to construct the state-of-art facility.

The deadline for completion of the venue has been changed several times since the Central Public Works Department began the construction work 32 months ago.