New Delhi:
With several voices of concern regarding Delhi's preparedness for next year's Commonwealth Games, it was a nervous Chief Minister on Sunday: "I am not fully comfortable. I am nervous, but
sab theek ho jayega."
That statement, right after a ministers' meeting on the Commonwealth Games, has given more weight to Commonwealth Games Federation President Mike Fennell's concerns. On Saturday, Fennell said that the delays were causing him "distress".
The initial deadline for the completion of all venues except the Cycling Velodrome and the Games Village was December 2009, but now that seems to have been extended to March 2010. The National stadium, which hosts the Hockey World Cup in February, has to be completed in January for a test event
Organising Committee Chairman Suresh Kalmadi said, "Everything will be ready on time. There will be no problem."
But the deadlines for venue construction have been pushed back yet again. The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium is now likely to be ready only by June.
"A steel structure is to be set up for the opening ceremony at Nehru Stadium. and this is a technical issue being discussed. The final decision will be taken on December 29," explained Sports Minister M S Gill.
Assurances have been heard many times now. But like Sheila Dikshit, the rest of the country is nervous about whether Delhi can pull it off.