‘Rain will not hamper finishing touches to CWG venues’

NEW DELHI - The recent heavy rains in the capital might have affected the frenetic pace of work in giving finishing touches to the Commonwealth Games venues but the officials in-charge are confident the stadia and their surroundings will be ready much before the sports extravaganza begins Oct 3.

Delhi, which is hosting the Games Oct 3-14 has recorded a total rainfall of 888.6 mm this season, 87 percent above average. The heavy rains continued to lash the capital Monday.

The Games Village, which saw the first meal being cooked in its premises Monday ahead of the visit of delegates from Commonwealth Games, and the Yamuna Sports Complex have given a headache to the authorities as the two venues are close to the flood-plain of river Yamuna.

Rains have caused waterlogging outside the village and left blotches of rough patches in the field of play in the archery arena of Yamuna Sports Complex.

Rathin Datta, competition manager of Archery, however, is hoping that the weather would improve in the coming days.

“We would certainly like the rains to stop but we will go ahead with the competition as long as the targets are visible. I expect the skies to clear in the next 10 days. So, we are not thinking of putting artificial carpet as of now,” Datta told IANS.

“I will hand over the venue to the technical delegates on October 1. After that, it is their responsibility. They will decide if we can hold the event or not.”

A top official of the Games Village insists it will be “occupationally” ready by Sep 16 when the first delegates arrive.

“The rains definitely affect the work but thankfully there is no flooding. Games Village will be ready by Sep 16,” the official told IANS.

Deep Bhatia, manager sports operation, Karni Singh Shooting Range said their engineers are working round the clock to put up a great show.

“Luckily, we don’t have waterlogging in the open ranges for double trap, trap and skeet because it is on a hilly area and the drainage system is excellent. However, due to incessant rains there are have been waterlogging in some places but they too will be taken care of,” Bhatia told IANS.

A week ago there were reports of cave-in at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, which will host the track and field and the opening and closing ceremonies. Besides, the complex will also hold the Lawn Bowls and Weightlifting events.

S.R. Rao, additional secretary, department of IT, Jawaharlal Nehru Complex, said the field of play will weather the heavy rains.

“There have been no problems. The stadium is 99 percent ready. Both athletic and lawn bowls tracks are outdoors tracks and they are supposed to take care of water and heat,” said Rao.

Kamlesh Nanavati, competition manager Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Swimming Complex, the only stadium still to be given finishing touches, assured rain has not affected the work and there is no waterlogging outside the stadium.