New Delhi:
Officials are going public in rapid succession to assert that Delhi will meet all deadlines for the 2010 Games.
First, the Delhi Chief Minister went on record on Monday to admit "we are nervous...if some projects are not going to be completed we are looking at arrangements."
Then, Suresh Kalmadi, who heads the Organizing Committee, called a full-fledged press conference where he said there's absolutely no cause for concern. Kalmadi guaranteed that all required infrastructure will be ready by December-February, and that the venues for different events will be completed on time.
The damage control comes after NDTV discovered a report prepared by the CAG (Comptroller and Auditor General of India), which warned that Delhi is behind schedule on several fronts. The report said 14 venues and practice areas may not be ready.
Based on that NDTV report, Commonwealth Games Federation President Michael Fennell announced that he was going to write to the prime minister to express his concern about Delhi's ability to meet international standards as host of the Games.
Barely able to keep his sarcasm in check, Kalmadi responded on Monday by saying he'd be happy to personally escort Fennell to this meeting with the Prime Minister.
Sheila Dikshit also dismissed the CAG report, saying that it's 6-8 months old, and therefore outdated.
The 60-page report of the CAG says the delays could easily have been prevented, and that there has been poor coordination between different agencies.